McCarthy Test – Hip Labrum Assessment
- Fysiobasen
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
The McCarthy Test is used to diagnose acetabular labral tears in the hip joint.
A positive test suggests possible labral injury, especially if it provokes pain, clicking, or a catching sensation during movement [1].
Clinically Relevant Anatomy
Hip joint (art. coxae):
A ball-and-socket joint providing stability and weight-bearing function.
Acetabular labrum:
A fibrous cartilage ring surrounding the acetabulum.
Contributes to stability through a suction-seal effect around the femoral head.
Distributes joint load and maintains intra-articular pressure.
Labral tears may result in hip instability, pain, and reduced function [3].
Test Procedure
Patient position:
Supine (lying on the back), arms relaxed by the sides.
Execution:
Passively flex the hip to end range.
Extend the hip while moving it into external rotation.
Repeat the maneuver with internal rotation during extension.
Positive test findings:
Pain in the hip joint (often anterior or medial).
Clicking, locking, or a catching sensation.
Differential Diagnosis
A positive McCarthy Test may also be seen in other intra-articular pathologies, such as:
Hip fractures
Tumors
Infections
Osteoarthritis
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
Adductor-related pathologies [4]
Diagnostic Value and Evidence
The McCarthy Test should not be used in isolation [4].
Best interpreted when combined with other provocative hip tests, such as:
Fitzgerald Test
FABER Test
FADDIR Test
Clinical Relevance
Serves as a rapid screening tool for hip pathology.
Diagnostic accuracy increases when combined with history, clinical exam, and imaging.
A positive finding warrants further work-up (e.g., MRI for labral tear confirmation).
Conclusion
The McCarthy Test is a useful, though non-definitive, clinical test for detecting hip labrum pathology. It should always be combined with additional special tests and imaging to confirm diagnosis.
Sources:
The Physio Channel. How to do the McCarthy Hip Test for a Labral Tear. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz-lDYflamI&t=4s
Ken Hub. Hip Joint. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/hip-joint
Bsat S, Frei H, Beaulé PE. The acetabular labrum: a review of its function. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016 Jun;98(6):730-5.
Physiotutors. McCarthy Test | Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4r0YQI6Nc
