26/08/2025
A good explanation ππ€
β
Trendelenburg Sign
𦡠This test assesses the stability of the hip and the ability of the hip abductors to stabilize the pelvis on the femur.
π§ The patient is asked to stand on one leg and hold the position for 6 to 30 seconds.
β¬οΈ Normally the pelvis on the opposite side should rise; this finding indicates a negative test.
β¬οΈ If the pelvis on the opposite side (non-stance side) drops and the drop is more than 2 cm when the patient stands on the affected leg, a positive test is indicated.
π The test should always be performed on the normal side first so that the patient will understand what to do.
πͺ If the pelvis drops on the opposite side, it indicates a weak gluteus medius or an unstable hip (e.g., as a result of hip dislocation) on the affected or stance side.
ποΈ To add difficulty to the test and to test overall stability of the hip and pelvis, the patient may be asked to do a single-leg squat and the corkscrew test, which involves rotating left and then right while doing a single-leg squat.
π During the squat and the corkscrew test, the examiner should watch for a positive Trendelenburg sign on the nonβweight-bearing side as well as for hip, knee, and ankle movement control (i.e., alignment remains in a straight line).
β οΈ Abnormality could be stance βleg collapseβ with medial hip rotation, valgus movement at the knee, and/or pronation of the foot.
β
The normal result should be the same as that from a negative Trendelenburg test.
π Grimaldi et al. advocated doing a single-leg stance in which the test leg has the hip in neutral with the knee flexed to 90Β°.
βοΈ The patient can use a finger against a wall to help balance.
β±οΈ If the patient cannot hold this nonβweight-bearing position for 30 seconds and there is reproduction of the patientβs pain or symptoms within the 30 seconds, the test is positive for GTPS (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome.)
[Orthopedic Physical Assessment/Magee]