The original thomas test test involves positioning the patient in supine, with one knee being held to the chest at the point where the lumbar spine is felt to flex. The clinician assesses whether the thigh of the extended leg maintains full contact with the surface of the bed. If the thigh is raised off the surface of the table, the test is positive.
A positive test indicates a decrease in flexibility in the rectus femoris or iliopsoas muscles or both. One of the limitations of this test is that it merely determines the amount of hip extension possible at any given degree of pelvic flexion.
For More: Thomas Test - Hip Examination
