What is a Trendelenburg sign?

Trendelenburg sign is a physical examination finding seen when assessing for any dysfunction of the hip. A positive Trendelenburg sign usually indicates weakness in the hip abductor muscles consisting of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus.

How do you do the Trendelenburg sign?

To perform the test the patient stands on the unaffected leg and flexes the other knee to a right-angle. The pelvis should remain level or tilt up slightly on the non-weight-bearing side. The patient then stands on the affected leg and flexes the knee of the other leg.

When is Trendelenburg positive?

The Trendelenburg sign is said to be positive if, when standing on one leg (the ‘stance leg’), the pelvis severely drops on the side opposite to the stance leg (the ‘swing limb’). The muscle weakness is present on the side of the stance leg.

Can Trendelenburg’s sign be positive if the hip is normal?

We found the sign to be positive in a patient whose hip was clinically and radiologically normal, and therefore investigated this in other patients. We confirmed that a medial shift of the mechanical axis of the leg below the hip may cause a positive Trendelenburg sign.

What are the signs of a positive Trendelenburg test?

A positive Trendelenburg sign usually indicates weakness in the hip abductor muscles: gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. These findings can be associated with various hip abnormalities such as congenital hip dislocation, rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis.

What are the common causes of positive Trendelenburg test?

How do you test for weak hips?

Look at the angle between your hip and where your knee moves. Your knee should stay in line with your second toe and your pelvis should stay level. If your knee moves in past your big toe or your pelvis drops, it may mean that you have weak hip stabiliser muscles.

What are the benefits of Trendelenburg?

Nearly all (99%) used the Trendelenburg position in their clinical practice. They had used the position for many purposes, including to help reverse hypotension, treat low cardiac output, insert central IV catheters, for postural drainage, to reduce leg swelling, and to help move heavy patients up in bed.

What is the one leg hip test?

The one leg stand test, or stork stand test, is used to evaluate for pars interarticularis stress fracture (spondylolysis). It begins with the physician seated behind the standing patient. The physician stabilizes the patient at the hips.

What do you need to know about the Trendelenburg sign?

The Trendelenburg sign is a quick physical examination that can assist the therapist to assess for any hip dysfunction.

Which is the correct definition of the Trendelenburg position?

Trendelenburg position – a supine position on the operating table, used during and after operations in the pelvis or for shock. Trendelenburg sign – in congenital dislocation of the hip or in hip abductor weakness, the pelvis will sag on the side opposite to the dislocation when the hip and knee of the normal side is flexed.

What does the Trendelenburg sign in hip abductor mean?

A positive Trendelenburg sign usually indicates weakness in the hip abductor muscles: gluteus mediusand gluteus minimus.[1] These findings can be associated with various hip abnormalities such as congenital hip dislocation, rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis. [1][2]

What causes a gait with the Trendelenburg sign?

A Trendelenburg gait can also be observed caused by abductor insufficiency and is characterized by: Hip adduction during stance phase. The Trendelenburg sign alone cannot diagnose hip conditions such as osteoarthritis or hip instability.