Myokinematic Restoration: Course Notes

Adduction Drop Test

The patient lies on his or her side with the lower leg and hip flexed (90 degrees). Stand behind the patient and passively flex, abduct and extend the hip to neutral while maintaining 90 degrees of knee flexion. Passively stabilize the pelvis from falling backward and allowing femoral internal rotation to occur.  Make sure the top innominate is positioned directly over the bottom innominate so the frontal plane starting position does not give any false positives (top innominate too cephaled) or false negatives (top innominate too caudal). 

A positive test is indicated by a restriction from the anterior-inferior acetabular labral rim, transverse ligament, and piriformis muscle or impact of the posterior inferior femoral neck on posterior inferior rim of acetabulum that does not allow the femur to adduct; possibly secondary to an anteriorly rotated, forward hemipelvis. Usually seen on the left especially if left Extension Drop Test is positive in a Left AIC oriented patient.

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