Hip Mobilization Techniques

              

Hip Mobilization Techniques

Activities of daily living requires a significant amount of hip mobility.  Failure to have sufficient hip mobility can result in unnecessary stress on the lower back or lower extremities.  Performing the appropriate hip arthrokinematic techniques can help restore normal range of motion.  The blog will discuss the 5 mobilization techniques for the hip: the motions they facilitate and the methods used to perform them.

Hip Inferior Glide is used to improve hip flexion.  The technique is performed in supine with the hip flexed to 90°.  The clinician’s hands can be clasped at the superior proximal femur or a mobilization strap can be used to enhance grip and reduce sliding on client’s skin.  The clinician can simply lean back to impart an inferior force to the femur with a counterforce of the shoulder on the distal femur.

Hip Anterior Glide is used to improve hip extension and external rotation.  Anterior glides are performed in prone with the involved leg in a figure-4 position.  The clinician uses a hand-over-hand contact just below gluteal fold to impart an  anterolateral force to the proximal femur. 

Hip Posterior Glide is used to improve hip flexion and internal rotation.  In supine a bolster is placed under the posterior ischium.  The hip moved into flexion, adduction, and internal rotation, known as the FAdIR position.  The clinician clasps his/her hands over the flexed knee to impart a posterior force through the long axis of the femur.

 

Hip Medial Glide is intended to improve hip abduction and external rotation.  To do this, the client assumes a supine position.  The hip is in 90 degrees of flexion.  The clinician stabilizes the leg by wrapping his/her arm around the medial knee.  A medial force is imparted via contact with the lateral aspect of proximal femur.  This technique could also be performed in sidelying by applying a medial force in a downward direction to the lateral aspect of the proximal femur.

Hip Lateral Glide is performed to improve hip adduction and internal rotation.  The client is positioned in supine with and hip flexed to 90° and a strap around the proximal thigh.  The leg is stabilized distally at the knee and a counter force is applied to the lateral aspect of the iliac crest.  These 2 stabilization points are important for a lateral force to be imparted via the strap around the client’s proximal thigh and the clinician’s hips.  This force can be achieved through a simple weight shift of the clinician. Using a mobilization strap can enhance grip, reduce sliding on client’s skin, and accommodate for a size disparity between the client and the clinician.

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