Staheli Test (Prone Hip Extension) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing Hip Flexion Contractures (specifically Iliopsoas).
- Often used when the Thomas Test is ambiguous.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient lies prone (on stomach) with legs hanging off the table edge.
- Action: Examiner stabilizes the pelvis with one hand and passively extends the thigh with the other.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: The pelvis rises (anterior tilt) before full hip extension is reached, indicating a fixed flexion deformity.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Staheli Test (Prone Hip Extension) 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 Staheli Test (Prone Hip Extension) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
