Goniometry: Hip Flexion

Original Editor - Claire Knott Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Claire Knott and Simisola Ajeyalemi

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Medizinischer Goniometer.jpg

The hip joint's range of motion (ROM) is an important clinical parameter used in hip assessment.[1]Hip flexion is one of the hip motions that can be measured with a goniometer. The goniometer can simply measure the joint angles. It has some limitations not allowing the clinician to analyse the ROM and track the hip joint during eg walking or maximum squat. Motion capture devices are mainly used to analyse the patient's gait and assess the condition of the joints and bones.[1]

Image 1: Goniometer

Procedure[edit | edit source]

Hip flex rom.jpeg

Client lying supine.

Obliterate lumbar curve by flexing other hip and holding.

Flex hip with hand under lumbar area to check no pelvic movement occurs.

  • Motions of the pelvis on the lumbar spine during measurement of hip flexion or extension can artificially inflate the range of motion measurement obtained.
  • Use landmarks on the pelvis to eliminate the possibility of including lumbar spine motion in the measurement, or one should manually ensure that the pelvis remains in a neutral position at the beginning and end of the range of motion measurement.

Hip flexion range of motion is dependent on the position of the knee during movement.

  • Full hip flexion is obtained only with the knee flexed.
  • If the hip is flexed with the knee extended, tension in the hamstring muscles limits the motion

[2]

Image 2: Hip flexion ROM

This is a great less than 2 minute video of hip flexion ROM measurement.

Goniometer Placement[edit | edit source]

AXIS LOCATION STATIONARY ARM MOVEMENT ARM
femoral greater trochanter parallel to the trunk parallel with longitudinal axis of the femur in line with the lateral femoral condyle

Expected Findings[edit | edit source]

Expected range of motion is 0- 120 degrees[3]

Most of the motions at the hip are limited by the ligaments (iliofemoral, ischiofemoral, and pubofemoral) and muscles that surround the joint, as well as by the hip joint capsule. Hip flexion is an exemption, being frequently limited by approximation of the soft tissue between the anterior thigh and the abdomen when the knee is flexed[2].

Image 3: Ligaments of the hip joint posterior aspect

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Yazdifar M, Yazdifar MR, Mahmud J, Esat I, Chizari M. Evaluating the hip range of motion using the goniometer and video tracking methods. Procedia Engineering. 2013 Jan 1;68:77-82. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705813020043(accessed 15.1.2022)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Musculoskeletal key Measurement of ROM of the hip Available: https://musculoskeletalkey.com/measurement-of-range-of-motion-of-the-hip/(accessed 15.1.2022)
  3. Norkin CC, White DJ. Measurement of joint motion: a guide to goniometry. FA Davis; 2016 Nov 18.