National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A patient who is limited in external hip rotation would benefit from anterior glide mobilization because this technique specifically addresses the necessary joint mechanics to increase external rotation of the hip. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and external rotation occurs when the femoral head moves posteriorly within the acetabulum. By applying an anterior glide, which involves moving the femoral head forward in relation to the acetabulum, you can effectively increase the space and facilitate the movement needed for external rotation.

The other techniques do not directly assist in improving external rotation. For instance, a medial glide would typically enhance the range of motion in the opposite direction (internal rotation), while inferior glide focuses on addressing flexion or extension rather than rotation. Similarly, a posterior glide might aid in flexion but does not contribute to improving external rotation capabilities. Thus, anterior glide is the most appropriate choice for enhancing external hip rotation in this scenario.