Hip abduction with hip extension produces the largest obturator nerve displacement: a cadaveric investigation.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The obturator nerve may be injured during surgery or trauma. Neurodynamic testing (NDT) is theorized to assist in obturator nerve injury identification, but the optimum hip position for NDT has not been biomechanically supported.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the displacement and strain of the obturator nerve within the pelvis using three NDT positions of the hip (neutral, flexion, and extension) combined with hip abduction.

DESIGN: One-way repeated measures.

METHODS: Nine cadavers were selected by consecutive sampling, and metal markers were glued to the exposed intrapelvic obturator nerves

RESULTS: The obturator nerve displaced distally from the starting position during end-range hip abduction with the sagittal hip position in neutral (mean = 2.76 ± 2.46 mm;

CONCLUSION: Obturator nerve NDT using end-range hip abduction with the sagittal hip position in neutral or extension significantly displaces the nerve distally, suggesting these positions may be most useful when performing NDT of the obturator nerve.

Volume

34

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

54

ISSN

2042-6186

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

40635355

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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