Femoral Internal Rotation
Definition
The rotational movement of the femur (thigh bone) toward the midline of the body. Measured in degrees with the hip at 90 degrees of flexion. Normal range is approximately 30-45 degrees. Excessive femoral internal rotation describes a resting position where the femur sits rotated inward beyond normal, often visible as inward-pointing kneecaps.
Clinical Significance
Femoral internal rotation range is critical for normal gait, squat mechanics, and single-leg stability. Insufficient internal rotation forces compensatory pronation at the foot and valgus collapse at the knee. Excessive resting internal rotation loads the medial knee structures and contributes to patellofemoral pain. The availability of internal rotation is one of the most important measurements in a biomechanical assessment.
How AKMI Assesses This
AKMI measures hip internal rotation bilaterally in prone position with the hip at 90 degrees flexion. The assessment compares left vs. right values, tracks changes over time, and correlates internal rotation availability with knee and foot mechanics during functional movement.
Get your hip assessed
A biomechanical assessment measures femoral internal rotation and its relationship to the rest of your structural chain. 18 tests, objective data, personalized programming.