At mid lumbar L3, which of the following is an expected hip function?

At mid lumbar L3, which of the following is an expected hip function?

• A. Hip Adduction
• B. Hip Abduction
• C. Knee Varus
• D. Ankle Inversion

Answer: (A)

Movements at this level reflect which nerve roots still provide motor input to the hip muscles. Hip adductors are powered mainly by the obturator nerve carrying L2–L4 input, so with a mid-lumbar L3 lesion the adductors are still able to function, making hip adduction the expected hip movement. In contrast, the primary hip abductors (gluteus medius/minimus) rely on the superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1) and are more likely to be weakened at this level, so abduction would be reduced. Choices involving knee or ankle movements aren’t hip actions, so they aren’t the expected hip function here.

Movements at this level reflect which nerve roots still provide motor input to the hip muscles. Hip adductors are powered mainly by the obturator nerve carrying L2–L4 input, so with a mid-lumbar L3 lesion the adductors are still able to function, making hip adduction the expected hip movement. In contrast, the primary hip abductors (gluteus medius/minimus) rely on the superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1) and are more likely to be weakened at this level, so abduction would be reduced. Choices involving knee or ankle movements aren’t hip actions, so they aren’t the expected hip function here.