Ober’s Test

• This test is described by Frank Ober.
• The test is used for tightness of TFL means tensor fasciae lata & ITB means iliotibial band.
• This test is published in an article which is known as Back Strain and Sciatica
• This article discussed the relationship of a contracted tensor fasciae lata [TFL] & iliotibial band [ ITB] for too low backache in May 1935.
• This test was later revised in the year 1937 which is cautioned for avoiding the hip internal rotation [ IR ] means medial rotation & flexion while carrying out of the test.

Purpose of the Ober’s Test

• This Ober’s test is used to for evaluates a tight & contracted /inflamed Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) & Iliotibial band (ITB).
• This Ober’s test must not to confounded with Noble’s test & the Renne test, these two other tests are commonly used to detect the iliotibial band syndrome.

How do you perform the Ober’s Test?

Position of the Ober’s Test :

• The starting position for the test is side-lying with the side of the affected.
• The bottom of the knee & the hip must be kept flexed to flatten with the lumbar curve.
• The examiner stands behind the patient & firmly stabilizes to the greater trochanter/pelvis to prevent movement in any direction.
• Then Grasp to a distal end of the affected leg of a patient with the help of one hand & other hand is flex the leg for to a right angle at the knee.

Test performance of the Ober’s Test :

• Extend & abduct the hip joint.
• Then Slowly lower the leg toward the table with the adduct of the hip- till the motion is restricted.
• Ensure that the hip does not internally rotate[medially rotate] & flex the hip during the test & the pelvis is must be stabilized.
• As allowing with the thigh to drop into flexion & internal rotation [ medial rotation ] which is ‘give in’ to the tight Tensor Fasciae Latae [ TFL ] not accurately with the test of the length.

Results of the Ober’s Test :

• If the Iliotibial band[ ITB ] is normal, the leg is adduct with the thigh is dropping down to slightly below the horizontal & the patient is not experiencing any pain.
• In this situation, the test is called negative.
• If the Iliotibial band [ ITB ] is tight, the leg remains in the abducted position & the patient is experiencing lateral knee pain, in this situation, the test is called to positive.
• When the knee is flexed during the test, greater stress is placed on the femoral nerve.
• If neurological signs like pain/paresthesia occur during the test, the examiner should consider pathology affecting the femoral nerve.
• Mostly tenderness over the greater trochanter which is lead the examiner for to consider of trochanteric bursitis.

Modification of the Ober Test :

• A modification of this test is first recommended by the Kendall into Posture & Pain.

• In this test, apply to less strain on the medial aspect of the knee joint / give to less tension on the patella & less interference by too tight of Rectus Femoris muscle & it is provided to a complete stretch on the Tensor Fasciae Latae [ TFL ].

Test position of Modification of the Ober Test:

• The patient is in a side-lying position with the underneath leg is flexed at the hip & the knee to flatten the low back.
• Then examiner stabilizes the pelvis & keeps the lateral trunk in contact with the table.

• Note = Downward lateral tilt is equivalent to the hip abduction & that is “give in ” to a tight TFL [Tensor Fasciae Latae ].

Test performance of Modification of the Ober’s Test :

• The examiner extends the leg.
• Ensure that leg is not internally rotated means medially rotated.

Results of Modification of the Ober’s Test :

• With the knee is straight & the pelvis into a neutral position which is the thigh drops about 10 degrees below the horizontal.
• It is suggestive of the normal length.
• This leg fails to drop indicating tight ITB [ Iliotibial band ] and TFL [Tensor Fasciae Latae ].

Evidence of the Ober’s Test :

• It is limited to many studies to support the validity of this test.

• A study by Reese et al
• It is the use of an inclinometer for the measure of hip adduction in both the Ober test & the modified Ober test which appears to be a reliable method for the ITB [ Iliotibial band ] measurement of the flexibility.
• the technique is quite easy to use.
• It is demonstrated to significant difference in ROM [ range of motion ] between testing with the affected knee flexed vs. knee extended,
• Reliability of the affected knee flexed = 90
• Reliability of the affected knee extended = 91

• Modified Ober test is allow significantly greater hip adduction with a range of motion [ ROM ] than the Ober test,
• But the study is findings into An Anatomic Investigation of the Ober Test which is described to Willet GM et al.
• It refutes the hypothesis of the [ Iliotibial band ] ITB plays the role in limiting hip adduction during either version of the Ober test & questions the validity of these tests for determining ITB [ Iliotibial band ] tightness.
• In The findings of underscore which is the influence of the gluteus medius & minimus muscles as well as of the hip joint capsule on the Ober test findings.
• This study result suggests that the Ober test assesses the tightness of structures for proximal to the hip joint, like the gluteus medius & minimus muscles & the hip joint capsule, rather than the ITB [ Iliotibial band ].

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Author: Vaishali Ladva