Hip Muscle Extensibility Evidence: confirmed

Ely's Test (Duncan-Ely) Special Test

Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide

Ely's Test (Duncan-Ely) Orthopedic Special Test

What is it used for?

  • Assessing spasticity or tightness of the Rectus Femoris.

How to Perform

  • Position: Patient lies prone.
  • Action: Examiner passively flexes the patient's knee rapidly towards the buttock.

Interpretation of Results

  • Positive Test: The hip on the same side spontaneously flexes (buttock rises off the table) because the tight rectus femoris pulls the pelvis anteriorly.

Diagnostic Accuracy

  • Sensitivity: 56-59%
  • Specificity: 64-85%

Clinical Context & Limitations

The Ely's Test (Duncan-Ely) should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.

Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Hip region, combining the Ely's Test (Duncan-Ely) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.

References

  • Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.

Further Clinical Exploration

Ober's Test
Hip Examination

Ober's Test

Noble Compression Test
Hip Examination

Noble Compression Test

Thomas Test
Hip Examination

Thomas Test

Staheli Test (Prone Hip Extension)
Hip Examination

Staheli Test (Prone Hip Extension)