01/14/2019
π THOMAS TEST
π PURPOSE
The Thomas Test or Iliacus Test or Iliopsoas Test is used to measure the flexibility of the iliopsoas muscle group, the Re**us Femoris, as well as the M. Tensor Fascia Latae and the artorius. Measuring the flexibility of this muscle is not useful, because we donβt have a standard meeting length of muscle. The most important aspect of this test is that of the range of motion the hip, as various diseases such as patellofemoral pain syndrome, lower back pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, may be related to this impaired range of motion.
π TECHNIQUE
The patient should be supine, using the whole length of the table. The patient must then maximally flex both knees, using both arms. This ensures that the lumbar spine is flexed and flat on the table and avoids a posterior tilt of the pelvis.The patient then lowers the tested limb toward the table. During the test the contralateral hip is held in maximal flexion.The length of the iliopsoas is measured by the angle of the hip flexion.
A modified version of the test is one in which the patient lies down on their back, at the very edge of the table, with both legs hanging freely. The patient must then flex their knee and pull it back to their chest as close as they can, using both arms while doing so. The other leg can hang down.The lumbar spine must remain flat and in contact with the table during the test. The physiotherapist controls the opposite leg to ensure that it maintains full contact with the table.
β Negative result: The lower back and the sacrum should remain on the table. The hip can make a 10Β° posterior tilt or a 10Β° hip extension. The knee must be able to make a 90Β° flexion.
β Positive result: When the patient is not able to maintain their lower back and sacrum against the table. Otherwise if the hip has a large posterior tilt or hip extension greater than 15Β°, or if the knee is not able to meet flexion of 80Β° or more.