Hip
Pediatric / Congenital
Evidence: suggestive
Galeazzi Sign (Allis Sign) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) or Leg Length Discrepancy.
How to Perform
- Position: Child lies supine with hips flexed to 45° and knees flexed to 90°, feet flat on the table.
- Action: Observe the height of the knees from the front.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: One knee is lower than the other.
- Interpretation: If the knee is lower, it suggests femoral shortening or hip dislocation on that side.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Galeazzi Sign (Allis Sign) should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Hip region, combining the Galeazzi Sign (Allis Sign) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
