Thomas Test

Original Editor - Tyler Shultz

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Definition/Description

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Clinically Relevant Anatomy

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Purpose

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Technique

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Purpose

The Thomas Test is used to assess the flexibility of the iliopsoas muscle complex.

Technique

The patient should be positioned in supine, with one knee flexed and being held to the chest at the point when the lumbar spine begins to flex.  The therapis assesses the thigh of the opposite leg to determine if it maintains full contact with the treatment surface.  If the thigh is raised off the table, this test is considered to be positive.

A modified version of this test, the Modified Thomas Test, is commonly used.  The patient is positioned in supine at the very edge of the treatment table.  The patient is asked to bring both knees to his/her chest.  While in this position, the patient is to perfrom a posterior pelvic tilt.  While the contralateral hip is held in maximum flexion the tested limb is lowerd back towards the floor.  This test is positive for iliopsoas muscle tightness if the thigh is raised off the table.  If the knee extends when an extension force is applied to the hip, then the rectus femoris is considered tight.

Evidence

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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