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Exam skills
Hip Examination
Distinguishing true hip joint disease from back and bursa pain.
Video lesson
Key points
True hip joint pain is felt in the groin. Lateral hip pain with point tenderness is usually greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Buttock pain often comes from the spine or sacroiliac joint.
Practical approach
Internal rotation is the first motion lost in hip OA. FADIR tests for femoroacetabular impingement, FABER stresses the hip and SI joint. Observe gait for Trendelenburg sign.
Pearls
New groin pain in a patient with prior high-dose steroids warrants MRI for avascular necrosis.
At a glance
Category
Exam skills
Reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD, FACR
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