American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What does a positive FABER test suggest?

1. Fracture of the femur

2. Hip pathology

3. Positive meniscal tear

4. Instability of the knee

The correct answer is: Hip pathology

A positive FABER test, also known as the Patrick test, is indicative of hip pathology. This test is performed by positioning the patient's leg in a figure-four configuration (flexion, abduction, and external rotation) and applying gentle downward pressure on the knee while stabilizing the opposite hip. Pain during this maneuver can suggest issues such as hip joint pathology, iliopsoas inflammation, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The rationale behind this interpretation is grounded in the mechanics and anatomy involved. When the hip joint is assessed in a flexed and externally rotated position, underlying mechanisms such as joint capsules, ligaments, and muscles can be palpated for pain, providing clues to potential disorders. Thus, when the FABER test elicits pain, it strongly suggests that there is an underlying hip condition that requires further evaluation or intervention.