27/05/2026
Your Hip May Be Stuck. Even If It Doesn't Hurt.
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Hip arthritis does not always announce itself with pain. Often, it presents as stiffness after sitting, shorter stride on one side, or difficulty standing upright after bending.
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Here are clinical tests:
1. Thomas test.
Lie flat, pull one knee to your chest, and observe the opposite leg. If it lifts off the table instead of staying flat, your hip cannot fully extend. This is not a hamstring issue. It is hip mechanics.
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2. Faber test (simplified version).
Sit on a chair. Place one ankle on the opposite knee and let your leg relax outward. Do you feel stiffness or pain? This may indicate that your hip joint has lost some of its mobility
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When extension is lost, every step forces compensation elsewhere (usually the lower back or knee).
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We identify restrictions before they cascade