During Ober's test, which action is performed to assess ITB/TFL tightness?

During Ober's test, which action is performed to assess ITB/TFL tightness?

• A. Abduct the leg to the side.
• B. Extend the knee fully.
• C. Rotate the hip internally.
• D. Stabilize the pelvis.

Answer: (D)

Stabilizing the pelvis is essential because it isolates hip and thigh structures from movements of the pelvis itself. In the Ober test, the thigh is positioned to test the IT band and tensor fascia latae by moving the leg into abduction and then allowing it to drop into adduction. If the pelvis isn’t held steady, pelvic tilt or rotation can mimic tightness or looseness, leading to a misleading result. By fixing the pelvis, the clinician ensures that whether the leg can adduct or not truly reflects the tightness of the ITB/TFL. A tight ITB/TFL will keep the leg abducted and prevent it from dropping toward the table, whereas a normal, flexible ITB/TFL allows the leg to adduct.

Stabilizing the pelvis is essential because it isolates hip and thigh structures from movements of the pelvis itself. In the Ober test, the thigh is positioned to test the IT band and tensor fascia latae by moving the leg into abduction and then allowing it to drop into adduction. If the pelvis isn’t held steady, pelvic tilt or rotation can mimic tightness or looseness, leading to a misleading result. By fixing the pelvis, the clinician ensures that whether the leg can adduct or not truly reflects the tightness of the ITB/TFL. A tight ITB/TFL will keep the leg abducted and prevent it from dropping toward the table, whereas a normal, flexible ITB/TFL allows the leg to adduct.