Clinical Evaluation of the Painful Adolescent and Young Adult Hip

The history and physical exam are crucial components of the initial assessment of hip pain in adolescents and young adults to identify the cause of the pain, distinguish between common causes of early degeneration such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and acetabular dysplasia (instability), and guide further workup and management. Different aspects of the history and exam are specific to various common causes of hip pain in this patient population. The purpose of this review is to synthesize these components to provide a comprehensive approach to the history and physical exam for adolescents and young adults presenting with hip pain.