In Ober's test, the patient is positioned sidelying with the involved hip up, the hip extended, and the leg allowed to drop into adduction. What indicates a positive test?

• A. The leg adducts normally
• B. The leg abducts and stays up
• C. The leg rotates internally
• D. The leg fails to adduct

Answer: (D)

Ober's test evaluates tightness of the iliotibial band and tensor fasciae latae. In this position, if the iliotibial band is normal, gravity and the hip adductors let the leg slide medially and adduct behind the pelvis, ending up closer to the other leg. If the IT band is tight, it resists adduction and the leg remains abducted rather than dropping inward. That lack of adduction is considered a positive test, indicating IT band/tensor fasciae latae tightness. The other responses don’t fit the key finding: a normal adduction would be negative, staying abducted and elevated isn’t the intended outcome, and internal rotation isn’t the test’s focus.