Ober Test
Other Names
- Ober Test
- Ober’s Test
- Modified Ober Test
- Modified Ober’s Test
- Iliotibial Band Tightness Test
- IT Band Tightness Test
- Ober IT Band Test
- Ober Test for Iliotibial Band Tightness
Purpose
- Evaluate the Tensor Fasciae Latae and Iliotibial Band
Description
Classic Description
- Patient lays in lateral decubitus position on unaffected side
- The unaffected limb is in a neutral position with hip and leg slightly flexed to flatten out lumbar spine
- The amount of flexion varies among protocols (0°, 45°, 90°, or maximal flexion)[4]
- The examiner helps stabilize the patients pelvis
- The affected limb is brought into abduction and the leg is allowed to adduct with gravity
- Note the knee is flex to approximately 90 degrees[5]
- Positive test:
- Patient's leg does not drop due to tightness in the IT band
- Patient has pain with passive adduction
- Patient has pain with active abduction against resistance
- Measurement
- An inclinometer can be used to measure the degree of drop, although this is not commonly performed[6]
Modified Ober Test
- The test is performed similarly to the classic Ober Test
- However the affected knee is kept in extension rather than flexion
Modified Ober Test (alt description)
- The patient remains in the lateral decubitus position[7]
- Tensor fascia lata is assessed by passive adduction from an abducted position and with the hip and knee in full extension
- Gluteus medius is then evaluated by taking tension off the tensor by flexing the knee 90 degrees and repeating this maneuver
- Gluteus maximus is then evaluated by squaring the shoulders to the examination table and flexing the hip while maintaining knee extension and repeating the passive adduction maneuver
Pathology
Evidence
- Unknown
See Also
References
- ↑ Luque-Suárez, A., et al. "Stabilization exercise for the management of low back pain." Low Back Pain (2012): 261-92.
- ↑ Almoallim, Hani, et al. "Approach to Musculoskeletal Examination." Skills in Rheumatology (2021): 17-65.
- ↑ Frangiamore, Salvatore, et al. "Comprehensive clinical evaluation of femoroacetabular impingement: part 1, physical examination." Arthroscopy techniques 6.5 (2017): e1993-e2001.
- ↑ Hidalgo-García, César, et al. "Effects of contralateral hip flexion angle on the Ober test." BioMed Research International 2022.1 (2022): 3349940.
- ↑ Willett, Gilbert M., et al. "An anatomic investigation of the ober test." The American journal of sports medicine 44.3 (2016): 696-701.
- ↑ Reese, Nancy B., and William D. Bandy. "Use of an inclinometer to measure flexibility of the iliotibial band using the Ober test and the modified Ober test: differences in magnitude and reliability of measurements." Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 33.6 (2003): 326-330.
- ↑ Pacheco-Carrillo, Aitana, and Ivan Medina-Porqueres. "Physical examination tests for the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement. A systematic review." Physical Therapy in Sport 21 (2016): 87-93.
Created by:
John Kiel on 8 August 2019 22:57:17
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Last edited:
13 March 2026 12:37:07
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