בדיקת ירך
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Q1: What anatomical structures make up the hip joint?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint where the femoral head articulates with the acetabulum. Combined with hip ligaments, this creates a very strong and stable joint. Despite this stability, the hip possesses considerable range of motion and is prone to degeneration and wear over time or after injury.
Q2: What should you look for during hip inspection and gait assessment?
During inspection, observe the hip from anterior, posterior, and lateral perspectives, noting any asymmetry from muscle wasting or swelling. Ask the patient to walk back and forth and observe their gait for any limp or abnormalities. These observations help identify potential musculoskeletal pathology before proceeding with palpation and range motion strength and sensory exam.
Q3: What palpation landmarks should be assessed during a hip exam?
Key landmarks include the anterior hip joint, anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS), greater trochanter, iliotibial band, posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), sacroiliac joint, gluteus muscle, ischial tuberosity, and coccyx. Tenderness at these sites may indicate osteoarthritis, fracture, tendonitis, avulsion, or inflammation depending on location.
Q4: How is hip range of motion tested during a physical examination?
Hip range of motion is tested passively with the patient in different positions. Internal and external rotation are assessed with the patient seated; abduction and adduction in supine; flexion in supine; and extension in prone position. Normal values include internal rotation 30°, external rotation 60°, abduction 45°, adduction 30°, flexion 120°, and extension 15°.
Q5: What muscles are evaluated during hip strength testing?
Hip strength testing assesses the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles during extension; gluteus medius and minimus during abduction; adductor muscles during adduction; and iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and sartorius during flexion. Each maneuver involves resistance applied by the examiner while the patient moves against that force.
Q6: What nerves are assessed during sensory evaluation of the hip?
The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is tested in the distal lateral thigh; hypesthesia here suggests meralgia paresthetica. The obturator nerve, which innervates the hip and medial thigh, is also assessed. Compression of these nerves can cause hip pain or referred pain to the knee region. Understanding pathways and peripheral nerve distribution helps identify nerve compression syndromes.
Q7: What special diagnostic tests help narrow the hip examination differential diagnosis?
Special tests include the Trendelenburg test for hip abductor weakness, Hop test for femoral neck stress fracture, leg length measurement, Log Roll test for fracture or infection, FABER test for sacroiliac joint pathology, and Ober test for iliotibial band tightness. These maneuvers help clinicians identify specific hip pathologies.
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