The Circumduction Test is most consistent with which hip pathology?

• A. Anterior labral tear
• B. Posterior labral tear
• C. Iliopsoas tendinopathy
• D. Acetabular fracture

Answer: (A)

This test targets intra-articular hip pathology by moving the leg through a circular arc, loading the anterior portion of the acetabular labrum and joint capsule. When an anterior labral tear is present, this circumduction stresses the labrum as it wraps around the femoral head, often reproducing deep groin pain and sometimes catching or instability. That pattern fits best with anterior labral pathology because the anterior rim is specifically engaged by the circular motion, whereas tears in other areas or different hip conditions produce different pain patterns or are provoked by different motions. Iliopsoas tendinopathy usually presents with pain linked to resisted hip flexion or palpation of the iliopsoas tendon rather than a circumduction-provoked sign. An acetabular fracture would more likely show acute trauma findings and tenderness with bony instability rather than a selective response to a provocative circular hip motion. Therefore, the circumduction test aligns most closely with an anterior labral tear.