Understanding the Ely's Test (Prone Rectus Femoris Contracture Test) Assessment
To assess for **tightness or contracture of the Rectus Femoris** muscle (a hip flexor and knee extensor).
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is prone with the pelvis stabilized.
What happens?
The examiner passively and maximally **flexes the patient's knee** on the affected side.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
The patient's **hip passively flexes** (lifts off the table) as the knee is flexed, indicating that the rectus femoris is too tight to allow full knee flexion without pulling the hip into flexion.
Helpful Tip:
A positive test is also indicated by pain in the hip or anterior thigh.
Safety First
This guide is to help you understand what happens in a clinic. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you have severe pain, swelling, or cannot put weight on your leg, please visit an urgent care center or your doctor immediately.
Other Hip Tests
Craig's Test (or Ryder's Test)
To determine the approximate amount of **femoral anteversion** (or retroversion) and assess for abnormal hip rotation alignment.
FADIR (Flexion, Adduction, Internal Rotation) Test
To provoke symptoms associated with **Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)**, particularly **Anterior/Pincer Impingement** or **Acetabular Labral Tears**.
Fulcrum Test
To screen for a **Stress Fracture of the Femoral Shaft**.
Hip Quadrant Test (or Scour Test)
To assess the integrity of the **articular surfaces of the hip joint** (femoral head and acetabulum) and detect defects like osteochondral lesions or loose bodies.