Telemedicine Evaluation of Hip Ailments

With any evaluation, patient history is extremely important; telemedicine is no exception. Key elements of the history, including onset, duration, and mechanism of injury, alleviating and inciting factors, and previous surgeries, should be documented in any joint evaluation [ 1 ]. The history allows the clinician to develop a differential diagnosis that will be supported or refuted based on physical examination and diagnostic studies. Further information elicited during the physical examination is aimed at uncovering a suspected injury or condition, creating a comprehensive differential diagnosis [ 2 ]. The hip is a large weight-bearing joint, and hip pain is a common cause for patients to seek care. A tailored physical examination to evaluate a hip complaint involves inspection, palpation, range of motion (ROM) assessment, strength testing, functional assessment, and gait analysis, and special testing to develop a differential diagnosis [ 3 ]. Most information can be obtained through a video or telephone encounter with a patient [ 4 ]. The use of video and telephone consultations is becoming more common because it allows increased access for patients as there is no need to travel [ 5 ]. The use of telemedicine services as a whole has accelerated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic [ 6 ]. Despite this increased access, an evaluation via telemedicine poses challenges to both the patient and clinician as inherited nonverbal indicators of pain and change in function cannot be observed in the same way as they would during an in-person visit. These small clues allow an experienced clinician to differentiate between common and rare pathology, while also rapidly adjusting the scope of their differential diagnosis to account for concerns beyond the chief complaint [ 3 ]. While a history can still be elicited over the telephone, the examination has now shifted to the hands of the patient with responses that are self-reported. However, these responses may lack the details of how a joint moves or the tactile feedback involved in special testing, the responses are still highly valuable as they often focus the clinician on the patient’s perceived functional deficit [ 7 , 8 ]. Through creativity and teamwork with the patient, it is possible to conduct a thorough examination and provide effective care using telemedicine services.

Inspection and palpation Guided questions and instructions for inspection and palpation are outlined in Table 1 . Range of motion assessment and special testing A guide for questions and instructions for ROM assessment and special testing are outlined in Table 2 . FAI: Femoroacetabular impingement; ITB: Iliotibial band; ROM: Range of motion. Strength testing, functional assessment and gait analysis Strength testing through a video visit is possible. It can be accomplished through active ROM and functional motions. For general lower body strength testing, have the patient perform a standard bodyweight squat. This motion should be assessed from both the lateral and posterior views. If the patient can perform this against gravity, their strength level is at least 3/5. Hip shifting tests the mobility and strength of the hip and should be assessed in a posterior view. If the patient shifts away from the affected hip, this is a positive hip shift test, indicating decreased mobility or strength in the affected hip (Figure 10 ). Next, have the patient stand on one leg and look for a positive Trendelenburg sign to test the strength of the gluteus medius, an important muscle in hip stabilization. This is indicated by the contralateral hip dropping and represents a weakness in the gluteus medius on the standing leg. Next, have the patient perform a single-leg squat, looking for hip weakness or dynamic genu valgus, and assess for pain. A. Start position of the squat, posterior view. B. End position of squat with equal mobility of both sides. C. Positive hip shift to the right (arrow). The patient will shift to the affected side during the descent of the squat. The hip shift suggests weakness or reduced mobility in the affected hip. Functional assessment and gait analysis are valuable pieces of information to include in a thorough hip evaluation. Possible gait abnormalities that can be seen via video include Trendelenburg, circumduction, steppage, and antalgic gait patterns (Figures 11 - 13 ). During the gait examination, assess for stance width, stance time, and stride length. The gait pattern and functional assessment can be appreciated using the questions provided in Table 3 . Trendelenburg gait is caused by weakness in the stance leg hip abductor group and lack of eccentric control. The characteristic side bending is compensation to maintain pelvic stability in the gait cycle. A. Anterior view of gait side bending to patient’s right (arrow). B. Posterior view of gait side bending to patient’s right (arrow). A. Stance phase of gait. B. Swing phase of gait. Notice the exaggerated arc of the gait cycle, suggesting hypertonicity in the hip adductors. A. Stance phase of gait. B. Swing phase of gait, with increased hip flexion of the affected hip. Steppage gait pattern suggests nerve involvement. Possible diagnoses are spondylolisthesis, slipped femoral epiphysis, and disc herniation.

Indications for imaging and special considerations for telehealth A low threshold for hip imaging should be considered in the following situations: inability to bear weight, severely antalgic gait, hip swelling or erythema, trauma to the hip, nighttime pain, and fever or chills with pain. Furthermore, loss of bladder or bowel control, loss of inner thigh sensation, and leg weakness warrant immediate in-person evaluation and imaging, likely magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Intra-abdominal conditions can cause referred pain in the anterior hip. To determine if this is the cause, a thorough history of the present illness and a review of historical medical problems and procedures can greatly aid the evaluation. Additionally, if the patient is female, evaluation of cystic ovaries, ovarian torsion, pelvic pain secondary to endometriosis, and myofascial pelvic pain should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In order to utilize telehealth, patients and providers alike need access to a reliable Internet connection and access to internet-enabled devices with video capability. The digital infrastructure to support telehealth requires elevated security measures to protect patient health information at Health Insurance Portability and Accountabililty (HIPAA) standards. When using new technology, both the patient and provider need the skills and knowledge in order to communicate effectively. Provider education and training should be provided by the health system in which they work. Exam templates are helpful tools that can be built into provider workflows to improve their ability to perform telehealth examinations. Limitations While telehealth examination techniques are rapidly evolving and becoming more standardized, there are still limitations when compared to physical examination. A provider would not be able to use tools such as palpation or strength testing in their evaluation. Additionally, other conditions, such as those mentioned above, would not be able to be thoroughly evaluated via telehealth. In the case of a potentially serious injury, telehealth may delay care for the patient if it is decided a physical examination in person is needed. There is also the potential for user error; while procedures can be standardized and refined as much as possible, there remains the possibility that the patient is not able to self-perform a physical exam maneuver as accurately as a trained provider. Lastly, some limitations exist in the generalizability of this exam to all populations. Some of the outlined exam maneuvers may be difficult for certain patients with extremely limited mobility and may need to be further modified on an individual basis. Additionally, the telehealth exam relies heavily on clear and effective communication by the provider to ensure the patient is able to perform exam maneuvers correctly. As with in-person visits, but potentially magnified during telehealth visits, language barriers may lead to suboptimal participation in the outlined telehealth examination, and therefore, utilization of medical translation services is essential in these cases.

Musculoskeletal considerations are important for patients with hip pain. The ability to evaluate hip complaints through telemedicine can be helpful for patients and providers alike. Patient satisfaction will continue to play an important role in patients becoming more comfortable with participating in telemedicine encounters in the future. Evaluation, assessment, and treatment of hip pain using telemedicine are beneficial when the patient is unable to drive or local access to a clinician is limited. Telemedicine evaluations are a cost and time-effective tool to improve patient access for the evaluation and management of common hip complaints.

Inspection The examination starts by instructing the patient to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, preferably in tighter-fitting athletic garments. Postural assessment should include anterior, lateral, and posterior views. Inspect for asymmetry in the anterior superior iliac spine or iliac crest height and rotation. Estimate the Q angle of the knee. If the angle is excessively increased or decreased, it can play a role in alerted force absorption on the lower kinetic chain and can be a source of hip pain. This assessment can be completed from the anterior and posterior views. From the lateral view, inspect for the amount of lumbar lordosis or if a sway back is present. Next, ask the patient to point to the area of maximal pain and then draw with their finger the radiation pattern. Observe for the classic C sign (patient will cup their hand around the area above the greater trochanter). Assess for erythema, swelling, or frank deformity. If the patient is with a friend or family member, have that person hold the camera to assess the patient’s gait pattern. Palpation Have the patient palpate the anterior superior iliac spine, posterior superior iliac spine, tensor fasciae latae, pubic symphysis, ischial tuberosity, and greater trochanter for pain (Figure 1A - 1C ). The patient is instructed to palpate each landmark by moving his/her hand in a clockwise manner starting with the hand on the top of the iliac crest. Have the patient palpate and comment on the subjective tone of the muscle mass, temperature, and sensation of the anterior compartment of the thigh, medial aspect of the hip, and gluteal region. Instruct the patient to palpate boney prominences on the pubic symphysis, greater and lesser trochanters, ischial tuberosity, and piriformis (Figure 1D ). A. Superficial anatomical landmarks of the anterior hip. The patient’s hands are placed over the iliac crests. The anterior superior iliac spine (stars) and inguinal ligament (lines) are useful landmarks to have the patient identify. A difference in hand height on the iliac crests could represent a pelvic sheer. B. Superficial anatomical landmarks of lateral hip. The anterior superior iliac spine (star) and posterior superior iliac spine (arrow) are useful lateral landmarks for assessing innominate rotation as a cause of hip pain. C. Fortin finger test. Instruct the patient to point where they experience the most pain. If it is located at the sacroiliac joint (star), this is a positive Fortin finger sign. D. Palpation of the femoral crease and pubic symphysis. A palpable mass below the inguinal ligament, as indicated by the patient’s fingers, may suggest a possible femoral hernia. Pain on palpation at the pubic symphysis and insertion of the rectus abdominis (star) could indicate possible athletic pubalgia. ROM assessment ROM testing is an important part of a thorough hip evaluation. It should compare both the affected and unaffected sides. ROM testing for hip complaints should also assess the ROM of the lumbar spine. First, instruct the patient to sit in a chair with hips flexed to 90°. Move ankles inwards and outwards, assessing external and internal ROM of the hip while monitoring for pain (Figure 2 ). In this same position, ask the patient to flex the affected hip past 90°. Does this cause pain? Is the patient able to cross their legs? If so, ask them to cross their legs and allow the knee of their top leg to fall out to the side. Does this position cause pain? With the patient standing comfortably, ask them to lift their leg out to the side (estimate abduction), then extend their leg behind them (estimate extension). Lumbar ROM can be assessed with the patient in a seated position. Instruct the patient to bend forward to touch their toes to determine flexion, then have them lean backward to assess extension. When the patient is performing these motions, view the patient from the side to approximate the total degree of motion. A posterior view should be used for the evaluation of side bending and rotation; this position enables more anatomical landmarks to be used in the ROM assessment. A. To assess internal rotation of the hip, instruct the patient to sit in a neutral position and turn their foot outwards (arrow). B. To assess the external rotation of the hip, instruct the patient to sit in a neutral position and turn their foot inwards (arrow). For both motions, it is helpful to compare both sides at the same time. Special testing Special testing of the hip can be conducted in seated, standing, supine, and prone positions. Start with the patient in a seated position. From this position, the Beatty and Fortin finger signs can be determined. Next, have the patient transition to standing to complete the Stork and Kemp tests (Figures 3 - 4 ). Then, have the patient move to a supine position for the FABER, straight leg, Bragard, Thomas, and FADDIR tests (Figures 5 - 8 ). Also in this position, the palpation of the insertion of the rectus abdominus can be assessed to determine if there is pain (Figure 9 ). With the patient lying flat with legs extended, evaluate the outward rotation of the toes. Lastly, have the patient transition to a prone position to assess for gluteus medius tendinopathy, or dead butt syndrome, and assess the gluteal firing pattern. Having the patient perform multiple transitions from seated to standing to supine to prone and back to seated allows the physician to appreciate the overall impact the hip complaint has on the patient’s functional status. Instruct the patient to stand on one leg and hold the opposing heel to the stance leg. Pain in this position is a positive Stork test, suggesting pathology at the pars interarticularis, spondylolysis, or spondylolisthesis. Instruct the patient to stand and bend to the affected side, using the contralateral hand to apply axial pressure to the spine. A. Lateral view, B. Posterior view. Lumbar facets (bracket) could be a somatic dysfunction or source of referred pain to the hip. A. Instruct the patient to assume the figure-four position. Early pain suggests anterior hip joint pathology. B. Instruct the patient to apply downward pressure on the knee of the crossed leg pressure with their hand. Pain suggests sacroiliac or posterior hip pathology. A. Instruct the patient to lie flat on their back and extend one leg, lifting the extended foot off the ground. If this produces pain, it is a positive straight leg raise test, suggesting lumbar pathology. B. Instruct the patient to maintain the position and flex the extended foot. If this produces pain, it is a positive Bragard test, suggesting lumbar radiculopathy or intra-articular pathology, depending on response. A. Modified Thomas test from the anterior view. If the hip is flexed, there could be psoas involvement. If there is rotation, there may be iliotibial band restrictions or iliotibial band syndrome. If there is an abduction of the hip, there could be tensor fasciae latae involvement. B. Modified Thomas test from the lateral view. If the knee is extended, there could be rectus femoris involvement. Instruct the patient to flex, adduct, and passively move the hip from flexion to extension. Pain suggests osteoarthritis of the hip, femoral acetabular impingement, or anterior hip capsule pathology. A. Have the patient in a supine position palpate the pubic symphysis. Pain suggests athletic pubalgia. B. Instruct patient to raise their legs and place their hand nearest to the camera below the lumbar spine. C. Instruct the patient to slowly lower their legs, monitor for pain at the pubic symphysis, and note when the hand loses contact with the lumbar spine.