Cameron DM, Maietta AM, Liestman KJ, Kowalsky DS; Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT. Denise.Cameron@quinnipiac.edu.

PURPOSE: The first purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hip rotation range of motion and Craig test measurements. The second purpose was to compare Craig test measurements of 3 groups identified based upon the ratio of internal to external hip rotation. SUBJECTS: Sixteen healthy individuals (8 male, 8 female) with a mean age 22.8 years and no pain with hip rotation participated in this study. METHODS: Two trials each of active hip rotation and Craig test were performed by three testers. Testers 1 and 2 performed the hip rotation test and Testers 2 and 3 the Craig test. Active internal and external hip rotation measurements were performed in prone (hip extended, knee flexed) position. Tester 1 provided stabilization and verbal cues while Tester 2 aligned the goniometer and recorded the measurement. Testers 2 and 3 performed the Craig test. With the patient in prone and the test knee flexed, Tester 3 palpated the greater trochanter with the proximal hand while the distal hand grasped the distal tibia and rotated the hip until the proximal hand perceived that the greater trochanter was most prominent. Tester 2 then measured the angle of hip rotation. ANALYSIS: Mean values for Trials 1 and 2 for hip rotation and Craig test were calculated and used to perform the remainder of the analyses. A ratio of hip internal to external rotation was calculated for each lower extremity of each subject. A Pearson product moment correlation was performed to establish a relationship between Craig test measurements and rotation ratios. Using a frequency distribution of the rotation ratios, three groups were determined: Group 1 (n=10), internal greater than external rotation; Group 2 (n = 12), internal equal to external rotation; and Group 3 (n = 10), external greater than internal rotation. An ANOVA was performed to compare the group means. RESULTS: A significant correlation (r = 0.77; p < .01) between Craig test measurements and rotation ratios was established. Group means were 1.40 ± 0.23, 0.93 ± 0.12, and 0.65 ± 0.09 for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference among the 3 groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A good correlation between Craig test measurements and hip internal to external rotation ratios was established. Also, groups identified using the rotation ratios differed in their Craig test values with those exhibiting a larger ratio having larger Craig test values and those exhibiting a smaller ratio having smaller values. FUNDING SOURCE: Interdisciplinary Research Program, Quinnipiac University.

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

Reprint Information
Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Students and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Similar inquiries by all others should be made to the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.