Hip Scour Test

Learn about the Hip Scour Test and how to use it with this free PDF download. Get the facts you need to know before beginning the test.

By Ericka Pingol on Aug 2, 2025.

Fact Checked by Gale Alagos.

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What is a Hip Scour Test?

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint located in the body's pelvic region. It allows movement in the lower limbs, such as walking, running, and jumping. For an overview of the hip anatomy, the head of the femur (thigh bone) is encased within a thick cartilaginous socket called the acetabulum, which forms part of the pelvic bone. Ligaments and muscles around the hip joint provide stability, allowing smooth movement and support during physical activity.

The hip joint is subjected to a lot of wear and tear from everyday activities. It's important to keep the hip strong and flexible by doing regular stretching exercises and engaging in activities that target the hip muscles, such as walking or cycling. These activities help keep the joint mobile, preventing stiffness and pain.

Doctors like orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, nurses, and even rehabilitation specialists may recommend or use a Hip Scour Test when diagnosing hip pain and injury. Also known as the Hip Quadrant Test, this test checks the mobility of the hip joint and can help detect and assess any nonspecific hip pathology. It involves moving the femoral acetabular joint (hip) around in various directions while measuring how much range of motion is available and checking if it recreates any of the patient's pain. This can help identify any issues and give an idea of what type of treatment is needed. Additionally, this test can check for any early hip degeneration mostly caused by hip osteoarthritis.

Hip Scour Test Template

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How does this Hip Scour Test work?

This free Hip Scour Test provides a comprehensive guide on performing the exam. You can start using this template by following these steps:

Step 1: Download the free test

Get a copy of the free Hip Scour Test by clicking the "Use Template" or "Download" button, using the link on this page or through the Carepatron app. You can also access it from our resources library.

Step 2: Explain how the assessment works

Discuss the purpose of the Hip Scour Test with your patient. Explain that it will involve measuring the range of motion in their hip and evaluating their hip strength.

Step 3: Perform the exam

You may use the instructions listed on the template to administer the test. Ensure your patient is wearing loose-fitting clothing to aid in the assessment.

Step 4: Document the results

As you progress through each part of the test, document the results in your patient's file. This includes recording any observations you made during the assessment.

Hip Scour Test interpretation

The Hip Scout Test is a provocation test that involves assessing the hip's range of motion, stability, and strength through hip flexion and adduction. The results can help determine a person's ability to perform certain activities, such as walking or running.

A positive test result indicates that the hip flexors are weak and unable to generate enough force. This could be from a lack of strength or mobility or an underlying injury. A positive scour test or positive hip quadrant test is present if you recreate the patient's symptoms such as pain or clicking, or if the patient feels any groin pain.

A negative test result indicates that the hip flexors are strong and capable of generating enough to perform activities. A negative result is due to flexion-adduction to flexion-abduction in an arch, with a normal ROM (range of motion) and a normal feeling.

It is important to note that this exam is only one part of a larger assessment, and other tests should be performed to get a complete picture.

When to use these hip scour assessments?

The hip scour assessment should be performed annually, particularly in those athletes and individuals likely to suffer from hip instability or arthritis. You may also use this test to:

Monitor the progress over time

This free Hip Scour Test can help you gauge a patient's progress over time. It is beneficial for those with chronic hip conditions or injuries.

Track changes in the hip joint range of motion and strength

The Hip Scour Test is an excellent means to evaluate changes in the range of motion and strength, which can provide valuable insight into the patient's condition. This means that any changes in the hip joint can be monitored, making it easy to identify problems early and take action accordingly.

Identify and address the areas of specific weakness or instability

The Hip Scour Test allows you to pinpoint and address the areas of specific weakness or instability. You can then create a treatment plan focusing on the specific issue, which helps promote recovery.

Evaluate any particular needs for further investigation or treatment

The Hip Scour Test can help evaluate further investigation or treatment needs. This may include imaging studies such as an MRI or X-ray and physical therapy or exercises to help strengthen and stabilize the hip joint.

Benefits of these free Hip Scour Test Templates

The Hip Scour Test PDF is a great tool to help assess your patient's hip health. Here are some of its advantages:

It's fully digital

This Hip Scour Test is 100% digital, and you can quickly fill it out online or print it out for use in physical therapy clinics. This means you save time on paperwork, and your patients don't have to worry about filling out hardcopy forms.

It's customizable

This scour hip template allows you to customize the layout and instructions according to your needs. You can tailor it to suit the specific needs of patients or different treatment methods.

It's easy to use

The Hip Scour Test PDF's simple design makes it easy to understand and complete quickly. This makes it an excellent choice for experienced clinicians and those new to physical therapy.

It's comprehensive

The scour test for hip contains all the necessary information to assess a patient's hip condition comprehensively. It also includes a section to document your findings for easy record-keeping.

Commonly asked questions

This assessment tool doesn't have a scoring system. Instead, it is designed to assess the patient's current hip flexibility and range of motion, with the results marking a baseline for future improvement.

The Hip Scaur Test offers several benefits. It is easy to use, noninvasive and can be completed quickly, making it an effective way to assess hip flexibility, range of motion, and balance.

The Hip Scour Test assesses a patient's current hip flexibility, range of motion, and balance. It is not intended to diagnose any particular condition but rather to provide a baseline measurement that can be used to monitor progress over time.