Craig's Test: how to measure femoral anteversion step by step

Have you ever seen someone run or walk with their feet turned noticeably and consistently inward (in-toeing) or outward (out-toeing), in a way that doesn't seem like a simple postural habit? One possible explanation is femoral anteversion (or retroversion) — a structural feature of the femur that Craig's test lets you estimate in a simple way.

What does this test measure?

Craig's test estimates the degree of femoral anteversion, i.e., the angle formed by the femoral neck relative to the axis of the femoral condyles (the distal end of the femur, at the knee).

In practice, this translates into the range of internal and external hip rotation available when the femur is in a specific position: the greater the femoral anteversion, the greater the internal rotation range and the smaller the external rotation range (and vice versa for retroversion).

It's relevant because femoral anteversion/retroversion influences the alignment of the entire leg (knee, foot) and movement patterns such as the squat or the lunge.

Equipment needed

• A treatment table
• A goniometer (or an angle-measuring app)

Test protocol

1. The subject lies prone (face down) on the table, with the knee on the side being tested flexed to 90°
2. The assessor palpates the greater trochanter of the femur with one hand, while holding the leg by the ankle with the other
3. Rotate the hip internally and externally (moving the leg like a pendulum from the ankle) until finding the position where the greater trochanter is most prominent laterally (parallel to the table)
4. In that position, measure the angle between the tibia (leg axis) and vertical with the goniometer: this angle is an estimate of the degree of femoral anteversion
5. Repeat on the other side and compare

Common mistakes

• Failing to correctly locate the point of maximum prominence of the greater trochanter (requires some palpation practice)
• Allowing the pelvis to lift or rotate during the maneuver, which alters the measurement
• Confusing the measurement axis (it should be relative to vertical/the table, not relative to the thigh)

How to interpret the results

Measured angle	Approximate interpretation
~8-15°	Range generally considered within normal limits in many references ("typical" femoral anteversion)
> 15-20°	Increased femoral anteversion — may be associated with greater internal hip rotation and inward foot/knee patterns (in-toeing, dynamic valgus)
< 8° or negative values	Femoral retroversion — may be associated with greater external hip rotation and outward patterns (out-toeing)

These values are approximate and vary by source. The point isn't to label someone as "abnormal," but to understand that their individual anatomy influences how they move, and to adapt exercise technique (e.g., foot stance width in a squat) to that reality rather than imposing a "standard" posture.

How it relates to other tests

Craig's test pairs well with:

• Log roll test (hip rotation) — to passively and easily confirm the internal/external rotation range suggested by Craig's test
• FABER (Patrick) test — if there's also pain at the extreme ranges of rotation, other intra-articular causes should be ruled out

Track and monitor progress

Femoral anteversion isn't something that's "trained" to change (it's a bony characteristic), but knowing about it helps you personalize technique for your clients (foot stance in squats, deadlifts, lunges) instead of trying to correct something that's actually structural. In Movalytics you can record each client's Craig's test result along with their hip rotation ranges, and have it on hand whenever you're adjusting their exercise technique.

Frequently asked questions

Can femoral anteversion be corrected with exercise? No, it's a bony characteristic determined mainly during development. What can be adjusted is exercise technique and the ranges of motion used, so they're consistent with that anatomy. Is it a diagnostic test for any injury? Not directly. It's a structural assessment test that helps understand individual biomechanics, not a standalone injury diagnostic. Why does this matter for training? Because femoral rotation influences knee and foot alignment during exercises like the squat. Forcing an "ideal" alignment on someone with pronounced anteversion/retroversion can create more joint stress than benefit.