Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

In what scenario would one suspect a lumbar disk herniation when evaluating hip pain?

1. When there is no history of hip injury

2. When there is a weight shift to one side

3. When there is visible atrophy

4. When internal rotation is limited

The correct answer is: When there is a weight shift to one side

A weight shift to one side can indicate a lumbar disk herniation when evaluating hip pain because this shift often suggests that the individual is compensating for pain or discomfort in the lower back or hip region. When a disk in the lumbar spine herniates, it may press on spinal nerves, causing pain that can radiate down the leg or affect hip mechanics. The resulting pain might lead a person to adopt an altered gait or posture to minimize discomfort, which can manifest as a noticeable weight shift. This abnormal loading or position can exacerbate the issue, indicating that the problem may not solely be in the hip itself but could also involve lumbar spine pathology. Observing how a patient carries their body and the distribution of weight can serve as a critical diagnostic clue in distinguishing the source of the pain, reflecting the interconnectedness of hip and lumbar spine issues. Other scenarios provided might indicate different conditions or issues unrelated specifically to lumbar disk herniation. For example, the absence of a hip injury history may not directly correlate with a lumbar issue, and limitations in hip internal rotation or visible atrophy could result from several different musculoskeletal conditions, rather than specifically hinting at a herniation. Therefore, recognizing a weight shift becomes a key sign in evaluating