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Trendelenburg Test

From WikiSM
(Redirected from Trendelenburg's Sign)

Other Names

Trendelenburgs Sign[1]
Trendelenburg's sign and angle of measurement for trendelenburg sign[2]
  • Trendelenburg's Sign
  • Trendelenburg Gait
  • Modified Trendelenburg Test

Purpose


Description of Test

  • The patient is standing on their affected leg for approximately 30 seconds without leaning
  • They can stabilize themselves on the examination table or examiner if needed
  • Examiner examines patient to observe for stability or level of pelvis during single leg stance
  • Comparison should be made to the unaffected limb
  • Positive test
    • Unilateral weight bearing the pelvis drops toward the unsupported side

Trendelenburg Gait

  • Essentially identical to Trendelenburg test, except you observe gait instead of single leg stance
  • Positive test
    • Inability to maintain balance or pelvic stability
    • Lateral tilt of the trunk away from the affected hip

Pathology

  • Weakness of gluteus medius
  • Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
  • Hip instability and subluxation
  • Hip osteoarthritis
  • Initially post Total Hip Replacement
  • Superior Gluteal Nerve Palsy
  • Lower back pain
  • Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
  • Congenital hip dislocation

Evidence

Gluteus Medius Tear

  • Ortiz-Declet et al looking at Gluteus Medius Tears[3]
    • Sensitivity: 31%
    • Specificity: 100%
    • PPV: 100%
    • NPV: 61%
    • Diagnostic Accuracy: 67%

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

  • Kinsella et al: Systematic Review, Meta Analysis[4]
    • Sensitivity: 35%
    • Specificity: 99%
    • LR+: 53.44
    • LR-: 0.65
    • Diagnostic OR: 82.08

See Also


References

  1. Wong, Stephanie E., Charles J. Cogan, and Alan L. Zhang. "Physical examination of the hip: assessment of femoroacetabular impingement, labral pathology, and microinstability." Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 15.2 (2022): 38-52.
  2. Reiman, Michael P., Richard C. Mather, and Chad E. Cook. "Physical examination tests for hip dysfunction and injury." British journal of sports medicine 49.6 (2015): 357-361.
  3. Ortiz-Declet, Victor, et al. "Diagnostic accuracy of a new clinical test (resisted internal rotation) for detection of gluteus medius tears." Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery 6.4 (2019): 398-405.
  4. Kinsella, Rita, et al. "Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for assessing greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analysis." Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 54.1 (2024): 26-49.
Created by:
John Kiel on 16 July 2019 13:43:56
Authors:
Last edited:
3 July 2025 19:51:16
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