Hip pain in the FABER Test? You need to know THIS..

Dec 02, 2024 | Tags: hip pain, hip rotation

Have you received a positive FABER test? You experienced pain in this position so now what? What does this mean?

Maybe you were even referred to a surgeon to get an MRI or X-ray. Some of you may have already received a diagnosis for FAI, hip labral tear, trochanteric bursitis or some other common diagnosis for hip pain.

Why trust me on the FABER Test topic?

My goal with articles like this is to share truthful information about hip pain and pathologies. There is so much misinformation out there. I was where you were; 10 years ago, I suffered from debilitating chronic hip pain.

Back then, I was convinced that hip pain meant something was structurally wrong. Today, I know that pain in the FABER position primarily indicates a lack of functional mobility in Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation.

What is a FABER test?

FABER stands for Flexion, Abduction and External Rotation. It is also sometimes referred to as the Patrick's FABER test. In the FABER test, the patient lies in a supine position. The ankle is placed on the opposite knee, and the practitioner applies pressure to the knee and the opposite hip.

What is the faber test used to assess?

The FABER test is used to assess potential joint damage in the hips, sacroiliac joint, and low back. If pain is present, it is often recommended that the patient receive further imaging. However, we must distinguish between discomfort due to muscle restriction and genuine structural pathologies.