What does a positive Thomas test indicate?

What does a positive Thomas test indicate?

• A. Hip flexor tightness on the tested side
• B. Labral tear in the hip joint
• C. Fracture of the femur
• D. Patellar tendinopathy

Answer: (A)

A positive Thomas test is primarily used to assess hip flexor tightness. During the test, the patient lies supine on an examination table and pulls one knee to their chest. If the opposite leg raises off the table, it indicates that the hip flexors on that side are tight. This test effectively helps in identifying conditions related to hip flexor muscle tightness, particularly tightening of the iliopsoas muscle group. The other options refer to different conditions that are not assessed by the Thomas test. A labral tear often presents with hip pain and instability but would require imaging for diagnosis. A femur fracture would show more acute symptoms and possibly visible deformity or significant pain upon weight-bearing, while patellar tendinopathy primarily affects the knee rather than the hip region and is tested with different movements that engage the quadriceps and patellar tendon. Thus, the evidence provided by a positive Thomas test specifically correlates with tightness of the hip flexors on the tested side.

A positive Thomas test is primarily used to assess hip flexor tightness. During the test, the patient lies supine on an examination table and pulls one knee to their chest. If the opposite leg raises off the table, it indicates that the hip flexors on that side are tight. This test effectively helps in identifying conditions related to hip flexor muscle tightness, particularly tightening of the iliopsoas muscle group.

The other options refer to different conditions that are not assessed by the Thomas test. A labral tear often presents with hip pain and instability but would require imaging for diagnosis. A femur fracture would show more acute symptoms and possibly visible deformity or significant pain upon weight-bearing, while patellar tendinopathy primarily affects the knee rather than the hip region and is tested with different movements that engage the quadriceps and patellar tendon. Thus, the evidence provided by a positive Thomas test specifically correlates with tightness of the hip flexors on the tested side.