Trendelenburg test (hip)
From Ganfyd
This is a test for pathology of a hip joint. A positive Trendeleburg is relatively non-specific and may indicate:
- Pain (e.g. due to osteoarthritis)
- Weak abductors (gluteus medius,gluteus minimus)
- Short femoral neck
- Medial migration of femoral head
- Neuropathy
Classically, this test is performed kneeling in front of the patient with a hand on each of the patients hips. The patient can then rest their hands on the examiners shoulders for balance. (NB:Explain carefully to the patient what you are about to do so that this position is not misinterpreted!)
If the patient bears weight on the normal side then in order to raise the contralateral leg off the floor that side of the pelvis is tilted upwards. This is largely a function of the ipsilateral abductors of the hip. On the abnormal side they are unable to tilt the pelvis upwards and as the contralateral leg comes off the floor (by hip and knee flexion) the pelvis becomes unsupported and may drop (it certainly does not rise).
