When is the Thomas test considered negative?

The Thomas test is a physical examination maneuver used to assess hip flexor tightness. A negative Thomas test indicates that there is no hip flexor tightness present. In this test, the patient lies supine on an examination table, and one knee is drawn towards the chest while the other leg remains flat on the table.

When the hip extends (the correct answer), it demonstrates that the hip flexors are functioning normally. This means that when the knee is brought towards the chest, the opposite leg remains flat, which reflects a normal length and flexibility in the iliopsoas muscle group. This indicates there is no significant tightness in the hip flexors, thus rendering the test negative.

Understanding the mechanics of the Thomas test is crucial as it helps clinicians identify tightness related to hip flexors, which can impact mobility and cause discomfort. Other movements or positions observed during the test, such as flexing the knee or tilting the pelvis, would not inherently indicate a negative outcome in terms of hip flexor tightness.