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Hip, groin and thigh special tests quiz

Questions use only the figures on this library's test pages.

Last updated 30 October 2026. 8 questions. Each answer links to the test page it comes from; the region's tests are listed on the Hip, groin & thigh cheat sheet.

Terms such as sensitivity, specificity, LR+ and LR− are explained in the glossary. A likelihood ratio above about 5 or below about 0.2 is doing real work; between 2 and 0.5 it is barely worth the time.

Question 1 of 8

How far does a positive active piriformis test move the probability of sciatic nerve entrapment in the buttock?

  1. Up clearly: it is doing real work (LR+ above about 5)
  2. Up a little: a small shift (LR+ between about 2 and 5)
  3. Barely: it is barely worth the time (LR+ below about 2)
  4. Down: a positive result makes it less likely
Show the answer

Answer: B. Up a little: a small shift (LR+ between about 2 and 5). Active piriformis test: LR+ 3.9. Its page: “a small shift: a positive result nudges the diagnosis up, but does not settle it.” See the test

Question 2 of 8

How far does a negative Trendelenburg test move the probability of gluteal tendon tear?

  1. Down clearly: it is doing real work (LR− below about 0.2)
  2. Down a little: a small shift (LR− between about 0.2 and 0.5)
  3. Barely: it is barely worth the time (LR− above about 0.5)
  4. Up: a negative result makes it more likely
Show the answer

Answer: B. Down a little: a small shift (LR− between about 0.2 and 0.5). Trendelenburg test/sign: LR− 0.35. Its page: “a small shift: a negative result nudges the diagnosis down, but does not exclude it.” See the test

Question 3 of 8

What counts as a positive Trendelenburg test?

  1. A drop of the opposite side of the pelvis, or a lean of the trunk over the stance leg.
  2. Reproduction of the familiar lateral hip pain within 30 seconds.
  3. Deep buttock or posterior hip pain at the end of hip extension during long strides, which settles with short strides.
  4. Reproduction of the familiar lateral hip pain during the effort.
Show the answer

Answer: A. A drop of the opposite side of the pelvis, or a lean of the trunk over the stance leg. The Trendelenburg test/sign page: “A drop of the opposite side of the pelvis, or a lean of the trunk over the stance leg.” See the test

Question 4 of 8

What counts as a positive scour (quadrant) test?

  1. Shooting, tingling or burning sensation into the anterolateral thigh.
  2. Familiar pain, catching or grinding during the arc.
  3. Deep buttock pain in extension with adduction, which eases in abduction.
  4. Reproduction of the familiar buttock or sciatic-type pain.
Show the answer

Answer: B. Familiar pain, catching or grinding during the arc. The Scour test / quadrant test page: “Familiar pain, catching or grinding during the arc.” On this library's figures the scour test points slightly the wrong way (LR+ 0.7): its page says a positive result “makes the diagnosis a little less likely.” See the test

Question 5 of 8

What counts as a positive adductor squeeze test?

  1. Reproduction of the familiar groin pain. Reduced squeeze strength is worth recording, but it was not part of the original test.
  2. Deep buttock pain in extension with adduction, which eases in abduction.
  3. Shooting, tingling or burning sensation into the anterolateral thigh.
  4. Familiar pain, catching or grinding during the arc.
Show the answer

Answer: A. Reproduction of the familiar groin pain. Reduced squeeze strength is worth recording, but it was not part of the original test. The Squeeze test (adductor) page: “Reproduction of the familiar groin pain. Reduced squeeze strength is worth recording, but it was not part of the original test.” See the test

Question 6 of 8

Starting at 30% for sciatic nerve entrapment in the buttock, what is the probability after a positive active piriformis test?

  1. 63%
  2. 10%
  3. 45%
  4. 85%
Show the answer

Answer: A. 63%. From the ladder on the Active piriformis test page: a starting 30% becomes 63% after a positive (LR+ 3.9: a small shift). See the test

Question 7 of 8

Starting at 30% for gluteal tendon tear, what is the probability after a positive Trendelenburg test?

  1. 73%
  2. 13%
  3. 40%
  4. 57%
Show the answer

Answer: D. 57%. From the ladder on the Trendelenburg test/sign page: a starting 30% becomes 57% after a positive (LR+ 3.15: a small shift). See the test

Question 8 of 8

Starting at 30% for intra-articular hip pain, what is the probability after a positive Stinchfield test?

  1. 30%
  2. 48%
  3. 27%
  4. 35%
Show the answer

Answer: C. 27%. From the ladder on the Resisted straight leg raise (Stinchfield test) page: a starting 30% becomes 27% after a positive (LR+ 0.87: points slightly the wrong way). See the test

Other quizzes: Shoulder · Knee · Neck · Low back & pelvis · Foot, ankle & calf · Elbow & forearm · Wrist & hand. How the figures are chosen: Methods.

Get the book for telling the hip joint from the lateral hip, and ruling out the runner's stress fracture first

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