Physical Examination of the Hip

The hip and pelvis have a complex anatomy and are a common source of pain and injury in the athletic population. The clinical examination of the hip requires a systematic approach to differentially diagnose hip problems with overlapping pain referral patterns. Because of the complex anatomy of the hip, the physical examination is a comprehensive evaluation of the 4 main pain generators of the hip from deep to superficial: the osteochondral, capsulolabral, musculotendinous, and neurovascular elements of the hip. The hip examination begins with the standing examination and gait analysis followed by a seated, supine, lateral, and prone examination. A targeted physical examination used in conjunction with a layered understanding of the hip and pelvis can help guide diagnostic testing, distinguish hip-specific diagnoses from similar presenting pathologies, and inform treatment.

Collaborative Learning Aspect for Training Hip and Knee Joint Anatomy

One of the prerequisites required for an efficient diagnosis in a medical practice is to have a strong command of both functional and clinical anatomy. In this study we introduce a new collaborative approach in the effective teaching of the knee and hip joint. In the present teaching model, anatomist, orthopedists and physical therapists present the anatomy of the hip and knee joint in small groups. Courses for the hip and knee joint were scheduled during the early stages of the medical curriculum. Students of nursing and physical therapy were grouped together to sensitize for the importance of a collaborative effort. The study results clearly demonstrate that nursing students and physical therapy students appreciated this teaching approach. The collaborative approach further proved to be a suitable method to teach both functional and clinical anatomy of the hip and knee joint. Aside from this training, a collaborative approach between medical students and physical therapy students was also successful for healthcare organization.