National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

When a patient stands with feet together and the left iliac crest is lower, what is the most likely cause?

1. Tight right hip abductors

2. Tight left hip adductors

3. Tight right hip adductors

4. Tight left hip abductors

The correct answer is: Tight left hip abductors

When a patient stands with their feet together and one iliac crest appears lower than the other, it is indicative of a pelvic asymmetry, which is often related to muscle imbalances. The observation that the left iliac crest is lower suggests that the muscles on the left side are not functioning properly to maintain pelvic symmetry. In this context, tight left hip abductors can contribute to hip adduction on the left side. If the left hip abductors are tight, they may restrict the ability of the left leg to move outward, leading to a tendency for the left hip to drop, thus lowering the left iliac crest. Tightness in the left hip abductors prevents proper stabilization of the pelvis and can exacerbate or maintain the asymmetry observed with the iliac crests. In contrast, while the other options might suggest various muscle tightness imbalances, none directly explain why the left iliac crest would appear lower. The tightness of the left hip adductors, for instance, would lead to an opposite effect by pulling the left hip closer to the midline, potentially raising the left iliac crest. Hence, understanding the mechanics of how different muscles contribute to pelvic positioning helps clarify why tight left hip abductors is the most likely cause