Range of Motion: Prone Hip External Rotation

Procedure:

1. Have the client adopt a prone position, face down on a massage table or mat.
2. Ask the client to flex one knee up, with their heel directly over their knee.
3. Place the Measurz inclinometer along up and down alongside the client’s tibia.
4. Have the client externally rotate their hip, bringing their foot back and across their midline. As soon as the pelvis starts to lift up off the table, hit pause, and then the save button to view and record the results.
5. This test can also be performed passively by assisting the client to achieve extra range of motion. If this modality is selected, be sure to fix the client’s pelvis while assisting them. And as usual, record this in the notes section and use it consistently. NB: We should be aiming to achieve at least 50 degrees of hip external rotation on this test.

We should be aiming to achieve at least 50 degrees of hip external rotation on this test. 

References:

1. Mosler, A. B., Crossley, K. M., Thorborg, K., Whiteley, R. J., Weir, A., Serner, A., & Hölmich, P. (2017). Hip strength and range of motion: Normal values from a professional football league. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(4), 339-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2016.05.010
2. Influence of Hip Position and Gender on Active Hip Internal and External Rotation | Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. https://www.jospt.org/doi/abs/10.2519/jospt.1998.28.3.158