Bilateral Hip Abduction and External Rotation with a Neutral Lumbar Spine

  • The patient is lying on their back and instructed to find neutral, midway between 12:00 and 6:00 while monitoring the ASISs with their thumbs.
  • Instruct the patient to maintain neutral and draw the belly in towards the spine without flattening the low back.
  • While monitoring the ASISs with their thumbs ask the patient to slowly separate the knees while keeping the ASISs still/level.
  • If either ASIS begins to move inferiorly (towards the feet) instruct the patient to stop and bring the knees back to the midline and start over.
  • Repeat 3-5 times
  • The goal is for the patient to be able to maintain a neutral lumbar spine and symmetrically abduct and externally rotate both hips without either ASIS moving inferiorly.