The Best Diagnostic Tests for Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome | Evidence Based - Sensitive, Specific

In today's episode we go The Best Diagnostic Tests for Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome | Evidence Based - Sensitive, Specific:

Physical therapists play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). This condition, which affects the hip joint, can cause significant pain and discomfort, and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

When it comes to diagnosing FAIS, special tests are an important tool for physical therapists. These tests help to identify specific areas of the hip joint that may be causing pain or dysfunction. However, it's important to note that not all special tests are created equal. In order to accurately diagnose FAIS, physical therapists need to use both sensitive and specific tests.

Sensitive tests are designed to help RULE OUT pathology.   They're basically only accurate if they're negative.  These tests may produce false positives, meaning they may indicate a problem when there isn't one. While false positives can be frustrating, they are preferable to false negatives, which occur when a test fails to detect a problem that actually exists.

On the other hand, specific tests are designed to accurately identify the specific issue causing pain or dysfunction. These on the other hand help to RULE IN pathology and are accurate when positive.  These tests may produce false negatives if the issue is not specifically targeted. However, when used in combination with sensitive tests, specific tests can provide a more accurate diagnosis of FAIS.

For physical therapists, this means that it's important to use a variety of special tests when evaluating a patient with hip pain or dysfunction. 

In addition to special tests, physical therapists should also take a comprehensive approach to evaluating patients with hip pain or dysfunction. This may include a thorough history, physical examination, and utilizing any available imaging studies such as x-rays or MRIs. By taking a comprehensive approach, physical therapists can ensure that they have all the information they need to make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.

In today's video we go over The Best Diagnostic Tests for Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome that are Evidence Based, Sensitive and Specific:

In conclusion, when it comes to diagnosing FAIS, physical therapists need to use both sensitive and specific special tests. By using a combination of tests, physical therapists can accurately identify the specific issue causing pain or dysfunction in the hip joint, leading to more effective treatment and better outcomes for their patients.

- Dan Pope PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

Show Notes / Relevant Articles:

• FPF Mini Course - 7 Reasons Why Injuries Happen in the Gym and What to do About it
• Diagnosis and Treatment of FAI in a Powerlifter
• The Ultimate Guide to Getting Out of Hip Pain
• Evidence Based Guide to Femoral Acetabular Impingement Syndrome for Physical Therapists

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Thank you!

Dan Pope DPT, OCS, CSCS

References:

1. Pålsson A, Kostogiannis I, Ageberg E. Combining results from hip impingement and range of motion tests can increase diagnostic accuracy in patients with FAI syndrome. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020 Oct;28(10):3382-3392. doi: 10.1007/s00167-020-06005-5. Epub 2020 Apr 25. PMID: 32335699; PMCID: PMC7511272.