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FABER Test

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Flexion-abduction-external rotation (FABER)[1]
Illustration of FABER test[2]
Faber Test[3]
FABER test may produce discomfort in various locations, but is only considered positive for FAI if it elicits anterior hip pain[4]
The modified FABER test[5]
  • Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation Test (FABER)
  • Patrick's Test
  • Figure-4 Test
  • Flexion Abduction External Rotation Test
  • FABERE Test (Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation, and Extension)
  • Hip FABER Maneuver
  • Hip-SI Joint Provocation Test

Purpose

  • This test is designed to evaluate pathology of the hip, lumbar and sacroiliac region
  • It involves flexion, abduction and external rotation (FABER) of the joint

Description

  • The patient is supine on the examination table
  • The leg is placed in the "figure 4" position: hip is flexed, externally rotated and the ankle is placed on the contralateral leg
  • The examiner stabilizes the contralateral hip at the ASIS and applies compression to the ipsilateral knee
  • Positive Test
    • Pain or restriction in range of motion

Modified FABER

  • The patient is seated instead of supine
  • The examine is otherwise performed the same

Pathology

Evidence

Acetabular Labral Tear

  • Labral Tear (compared to MR)[6]
    • Sensitivety: 41%
    • Specificity: 100%
    • PPV: 100%
    • NPV: 9%
  • Labral tear compared to positive hip arthroscopy [7]
    • Sensitivity: 90%

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Femoroacetabular Impingement

  • Martin et al[9]
    • Sensitivity: 60%
    • Specificity: 18%

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

  • When compared to MRI confirmed findings[10]
    • Sensitivity: 30%
    • Specificity: 86.7%
    • PPV: 88.2%
    • NPV: 27.1%
    • LR+: 2.25
    • LR-: 0.80
  • Kinsella et al: Systematic Review, Meta Analysis[11]
    • Sensitivity: 47%
    • Specificity: 72%
    • LR+: 1.69
    • LR-: 0.74
    • Diagnostic OR: 2.29

See Also

Back

Hip

References

  1. ↑ Wong, Stephanie E., Charles J. Cogan, and Alan L. Zhang. "Physical examination of the hip: assessment of femoroacetabular impingement, labral pathology, and microinstability." Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 15.2 (2022): 38-52.
  2. ↑ Bernstein, Robert M., and Harold Cozen. "Evaluation of back pain in children and adolescents." American family physician 76.11 (2007): 1669-1676.
  3. ↑ Image courtesy of aafp.org
  4. ↑ DisilVesTRO, KeVin, MaTThew Quinn, and RaMin R. TaBaDDOR. "A Clinician's Guide to Femoacetabular Impingement in Athletes." Rhode Island medical journal 103.7 (2020): 41-48.
  5. ↑ Via, A. Giai, Alberto Fioruzzi, and Filippo Randelli. "Diagnosis and management of snapping hip syndrome: a comprehensive review of literature." Rheumatology (Sunnyvale) 7.4 (2017): 228.
  6. ↑ Troelsen A, Mechlenburg I, Gelineck J, Bolvig L, Jacobsen S, Søballe K. What is the role of clinical tests and ultrasound in acetabular labral tear diagnostics? Acta Orthop. 2009 Jun;80(3):314-8.
  7. ↑ B, McCroy P, Brukner P, et al. Hip joint pathology: Clinical presentation and correlation between magnetic resonance arthrography, ultrasound, and arthroscopic findings in 25 consecutive cases. Clin J Sports Med. 2003;(13):152-156
  8. ↑ Broadhurst NA, Bond MJ. Pain provocation tests for the assessment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. J. Spinal Disord. 11(4), 341-345 (1998).
  9. ↑ Martin RL, Irrgang JJ, Sekiya JK. The diagnostic accuracy of a clinical examination in determining intra-articular hip pain for potential hip arthroscopy candidates. Arthroscopy. 2008;24:1013–1018.
  10. ↑ Grimaldi A, Mellor R, Nicolson P, Hodges P, Bennell K, Vicenzino B. Utility of clinical tests to diagnose MRI-confirmed gluteal tendinopathy in patients presenting with lateral hip pain. Br J Sports Med. 2017;51(6):519-524. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096175
  11. ↑ Kinsella, Rita, et al. "Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for assessing greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analysis." Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 54.1 (2024): 26-49.
Created by:
John Kiel on 25 July 2019 12:56:04
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Last edited:
26 October 2025 20:10:14
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