McCarthy test: Difference between revisions

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'''Edited April 2022''' - by [[User:Hunter Logan|Hunter Logan]], [[User:Baile Louderback|Baile Louderback]], and [[User:Robert Storrow|Robert Storrow]] as part of the [[Arkansas Colleges of Health Education School of Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal 1 Project]]</div>
 
== Description ==
== Description ==
The McCarthy Test is a clinical test used to aid in the diagnosis of a hip labral tear. The shearing force producing painful popping, clicking, or catching while performing the test indicates a possible hip labrum tear.<ref name=":1" />  
The McCarthy Test is a clinical test used in the diagnosis of a hip labral tear. The shearing force-producing painful popping, clicking, or catching while performing the test indicates a possible hip labrum tear.<ref name=":1" />  


== Clinically Relevant Anatomy ==
== Clinically Relevant Anatomy ==
[[File:Hip joint - Kenhub.png|thumb|Hip Joint Anatomy<ref>Ken Hub. Hip Joint. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/hip-joint
[[File:Hip joint - Kenhub.png|thumb|Hip Joint Anatomy<ref>Ken Hub. Hip Joint. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/hip-joint
</ref>]]
</ref>]]
The acetabulofemoral (hip) joint is the largest and most stable joint in the human body. The acetabular labrum is a soft-tissue structure which, lines the acetabular rim of the hip joint.<ref name=":0">Bsat S, Frei H, Beaulé PE. The acetabular labrum: a review of its function. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016 Jun;98(6):730-5.</ref>The joint is surrounded by ligaments that work to keep this articulation intact. Movements of this joint are facilitated by the articulation of the acetabulum and the labrum. In normal hip joint biomechanics, the labrum is crucial in retaining a layer of pressurized intra-articular fluid for joint lubrication and load support/distribution.<ref name=":0" /> Its seal around the femoral head is further regarded as a contributing to hip stability through its suction effect.<ref name=":0" />
The [[Hip Anatomy|acetabulofemoral (hip) joint]] is the largest and most stable joint in the human body. The acetabular labrum is a soft-tissue structure which lines the acetabular rim of the hip joint.<ref name=":0">Bsat S, Frei H, Beaulé PE. The acetabular labrum: a review of its function. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016 Jun;98(6):730-5.</ref>The joint is surrounded by ligaments that work to keep this articulation intact. Movements of this joint are facilitated by the articulation of the acetabulum and the labrum. In normal hip joint biomechanics, the labrum is crucial in retaining a layer of pressurised intra-articular fluid for joint lubrication and load support/distribution.<ref name=":0" /> Its seal around the femoral head is further regarded as contributing to hip stability through its suction effect.<ref name=":0" />


[[Functional Anatomy of the Hip - Neural and Vascular|Click here]] for more detailed information on the anatomy on the hip joint.
[[Functional Anatomy of the Hip - Neural and Vascular|Click here]] for more detailed information on the anatomy of the hip joint.


== Technique ==
== Technique ==
'''Step 1:''' The patient should be laying supine with their head supported and with both arms rested to their side in a comfortable position.  
'''Step 1:''' The patient should be lying supine with their head supported and both arms rested to their side in a comfortable position.  


'''Step 2:''' The examiner should then passively flex the affected hip to end range.  
'''Step 2:''' The examiner should then passively flex the affected hip to the end range.  


'''Step 3:''' The clinician should then externally rotate the hip as the leg is moved back into extension.   
'''Step 3:''' The clinician should then externally rotate the hip as the leg is moved back into extension.   
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=== Differential Diagnosis ===
=== Differential Diagnosis ===
Because reproduction of anterior or medial hip pain can be a positive sign for a labral pathology, it is important to realize that the McCarthy test could give a false positive for a labral pathology. Other intra-articular hip disorders such as osteoarthritis can present similar location of symptoms which is why further test should be used.   
Because reproduction of anterior or medial hip pain can be a positive sign for a labral pathology, it is important to realize that the McCarthy test could give a false positive for labral pathology. Other intra-articular hip disorders can present similar location of symptoms which is why further testing should be utilized.   


Some of these hip pain conditions can include:  
Some of these hip pain conditions can include:  


* Fractures  
* [[Fracture|Fractures]]
* Tumors
* Tumors
* Infection
* Infection
* Osteoarthritis  
* [[Osteoarthritis]]
* Avascular necrosis
* [[Avascular necrosis of the femoral head|Avascular necrosis]]
* Adductor pathologies
* Adductor pathologies


=== Evidence ===
=== Evidence ===
The McCarthy Test has never been subject as the single form of diagnostic studies, which is why the clinical value remains questionable.<ref>Physiotutors. McCarthy Test | Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4r0YQI6Nc</ref> Because of there being  uncertainty in theclinical value of the McCarthy Test consistent evaluation of the patient’s subjective report is important throughout examination. Limitations in active and passive range of motion along with arthrokinematic deviations at the hip can be presented by antalgic gait abnormalities which would be an indication further test should be used to rule out other possible intra-articular hip disorders.
The McCarthy Test has never been accepted as the single form of diagnostic for hip pathology, which is why the clinical value remains questionable.<ref>Physiotutors. McCarthy Test | Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4r0YQI6Nc</ref> Because of the uncertainty in the clinical value of the McCarthy Test, consistent evaluation of the patient’s subjective report is important throughout the examination. Limitations in active and passive range of motion along with arthrokinematic deviations at the hip can be presented by antalgic gait abnormalities which would be an indication that further tests should be used to rule out other possible intra-articular hip disorders.


== Related Tests ==
== Related Tests ==
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[[Category:Hip]]
[[Category:Hip]]
[[Category:Hip - Special Tests]]
[[Category:Hip - Special Tests]]
[[Category:Arkansas Colleges of Health Education School of Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal 1 Project]]
[[Category: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education School of Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal 1 Project]]

Latest revision as of 16:53, 23 March 2023

Description[edit | edit source]

The McCarthy Test is a clinical test used in the diagnosis of a hip labral tear. The shearing force-producing painful popping, clicking, or catching while performing the test indicates a possible hip labrum tear.[1]

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Hip Joint Anatomy[2]

The acetabulofemoral (hip) joint is the largest and most stable joint in the human body. The acetabular labrum is a soft-tissue structure which lines the acetabular rim of the hip joint.[3]The joint is surrounded by ligaments that work to keep this articulation intact. Movements of this joint are facilitated by the articulation of the acetabulum and the labrum. In normal hip joint biomechanics, the labrum is crucial in retaining a layer of pressurised intra-articular fluid for joint lubrication and load support/distribution.[3] Its seal around the femoral head is further regarded as contributing to hip stability through its suction effect.[3]

Click here for more detailed information on the anatomy of the hip joint.

Technique[edit | edit source]

Step 1: The patient should be lying supine with their head supported and both arms rested to their side in a comfortable position.

Step 2: The examiner should then passively flex the affected hip to the end range.

Step 3: The clinician should then externally rotate the hip as the leg is moved back into extension.

Step 4: Repeat steps 1 and 2 but internally rotate the hip as the leg is moved back into extension.

How to do the McCarthy Hip Test for a Labral Tear - YouTube[1]

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Because reproduction of anterior or medial hip pain can be a positive sign for a labral pathology, it is important to realize that the McCarthy test could give a false positive for labral pathology. Other intra-articular hip disorders can present similar location of symptoms which is why further testing should be utilized.

Some of these hip pain conditions can include:

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The McCarthy Test has never been accepted as the single form of diagnostic for hip pathology, which is why the clinical value remains questionable.[4] Because of the uncertainty in the clinical value of the McCarthy Test, consistent evaluation of the patient’s subjective report is important throughout the examination. Limitations in active and passive range of motion along with arthrokinematic deviations at the hip can be presented by antalgic gait abnormalities which would be an indication that further tests should be used to rule out other possible intra-articular hip disorders.

Related Tests[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Physio Channel. How to do the McCarthy Hip Test for a Labral Tear. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz-lDYflamI&t=4s
  2. Ken Hub. Hip Joint. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/hip-joint
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bsat S, Frei H, Beaulé PE. The acetabular labrum: a review of its function. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016 Jun;98(6):730-5.
  4. Physiotutors. McCarthy Test | Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4r0YQI6Nc