What condition does pelvic haunching suggest during tests?

• A. Weak hip abductors
• B. Tight hip flexors
• C. Fractured femur
• D. Weak gluteus medius

Answer: (B)

Pelvic haunching is indicative of tightness in the hip flexors during physical assessment tests. When the hip flexors are tight, they can pull the pelvis forward into an anterior tilt, which may cause the appearance of the pelvis wearing in a “haunched” position. This position affects the alignment of the pelvis during movements and can lead to compensatory strategies elsewhere in the body, such as increased lumbar lordosis.

Recognizing tight hip flexors is crucial because they can contribute to mobility issues and influence overall lower extremity function. Addressing this tightness through stretching and other interventions can help restore proper alignment and function.

In contrast, while weak hip abductors and weak gluteus medius would lead to altered movement patterns and stability issues, they typically manifest differently than pelvic haunching. A fractured femur would present with more acute symptoms and significant pain or inability to bear weight rather than the subtle alignment changes seen with tight hip flexors. Understanding this relationship between hip flexor tightness and pelvic positioning is important for accurate assessment and subsequent therapeutic interventions.