In a patient with a capsular pattern restriction of the hip joint, which additional motion is likely to be limited?

In a patient with a capsular pattern restriction of the hip joint, there is a characteristic pattern of limitation where flexion and internal rotation are typically more restricted than other movements. In this context, abduction is also likely to be limited because capsular patterns indicate a generalized problem involving the joint capsule, leading to a decrease in accessory motions around the joint.

When considering capsular patterns specifically for the hip, the limitations in motion are not isolated but rather interconnected. These restrictions suggest that, alongside significant limitations in flexion and internal rotation, there will also be a compromise in abduction due to the interplay of the joint's structural and functional components. Thus, while the question emphasizes the likely restricted motion of abduction, it is essential to recognize that the entire movement pattern around the hip is affected in a capsular pattern scenario.