First Cardinal Sign, Assessment of Hip Posture – Standing and Prone

 

Anterior rotation of the hip in the Sagittal plane on the side of the longer leg is an unconscious anatomical adjustment functionally shortening the longer leg and reducing pelvic tilt in the Frontal Plane. Giving the spine some protection and making us feel more comfortable standing. I rate the degree of rotation from Level successively through to Very High Range measuring the difference in height between the top corner of the ASIS and the Iliac Crest as follows: 

 

a.   Level to Mild Range, 10mm or less (0 to 5 degrees);

 

b.   Medium Range, 20 - 40mm (roughly 10 to 15 degrees);

 

c.   High Range, 50 - 60mm (roughly 15 to 20 degrees); and

 

d.   Very High Range, greater than 60mm...the largest sighted being approximately 100mm (30 to 45 degrees).

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In actual practice I use the estimated difference in height to categorise the range of rotation. I do not line a protractor up alongside the hip to measure the angle. The smaller angles are hard to judge by eye but if you are seeing a 45 degrees angle you know it is very high range and many times the normal range of motion of the SIJ described in the literature.

 

Level to Mild Range is the ideal hip alignment in the upright standing position. This might be considered normal or good posture but it is not the norm. In my clinical experience, the majority of clients present with chronic left sided unilateral anterior hip rotation in High Range.

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There are exception cases who have a structural leg length discrepancy and do not exhibit the First Cardinal Sign. They are uncommon. Pelvic tilt in the Frontal Plane will be greater and symptomatically they more affected in the lumbar spine. Do not assume leg length is even or near even if the First Cardinal Sign of anterior rotation of the left hip is not present. Complete the examination for the other Cardinal Signs and structural leg length discrepancy tests before making conclusions.

 

I carry out an assessment of this aspect of hip posture following initial discussion of the client’s condition prior to treatment. Practitioner seated to the side of the client standing looking straight ahead. Noting Lordosis, Kyphosis, forward head carriage, and degree of chest tightness. Hip orientation in the Sagittal Plane is examined by palpating the Iliac Crest and top corner of the ASIS to determine hip position on both left and right sides.

 

My preference is to do the standing assessment, however, it is also possible to do so with subject lying prone. In the standing assessment we are looking at the hip position in relation to a horizontal line parallel to the floor. In the prone position it is in relation to a vertical line perpendicular to the floor. I have some concern gravity force vectors rotated 90 degrees from the standing position may distort test results. I have not made a close study comparing the test in different positions, yet it does seem to give a similar indication of hip alignment. I resort to testing in the prone position when reacquainting myself with a particular client’s condition or checking for progress during the course of a treatment. It is a quick, non-invasive although sometimes ticklish test to carry out. I disagree with reports stating the prone position forces the rotated hip back into a neutral position. This occurs in supine, not prone.

 

Testing hip posture in the prone position, place the thumb on the Iliac Crest and forefinger on the top corner of the ASIS. Visually sighting the height difference front to back is not really possible. It becomes a judgment made by feel and estimating the distance off vertical. Comparison to the opposite side which you may have previously tested and know to be level aids judgement. If you are not confident with your ability to make this assessment in the prone position, refrain from doing so and rely on the standing assessment.

 

When supine on the treatment table, another test relevant to assessment of the First Cardinal Sign is the Thomas Test. Left hip being held in chronic anterior rotation shortens hip flexors (Iliacus in particular) and they will be tighter than the right hip flexors. Morphing the Thomas Test into a hip flexor stretch on the left side can be the quickest way to partially normalise hip position and alleviate acute symptoms in the backline of the left lower limb.