Which description matches the setup of the hip test commonly labeled FABER or Patricks test?

• A. Supine, flex, abduct and externally rotate the hip; apply knee pressure
• B. Supine, passively flex, adduct and externally rotate the hip; apply pressure to the flexed knee
• C. Supine, flex and extend the hip
• D. Prone, knee flexed

Answer: (B)

FABER, or Patrick’s test, is done with the patient lying on their back and the test leg placed in a figure‑4 position: the hip is flexed, abducted, and externally rotated. The clinician then applies gentle downward pressure on the flexed knee to compress the hip joint. Pain or limited movement suggests pathology in the hip joint, acetabulum, or sacroiliac region. The essential parts of this setup are the hip in flexion with abduction and external rotation and the knee pressure to produce compression; if a description uses adduction, it’s not the classic FABER motion, but the key components—flexion, abduction, external rotation, and knee pressure—define the test.