Trendelenburg's sign

Trendelenburg's sign is found in people with weak or paralyzed abductor muscles of the hip, namely gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. It is named after the German surgeon Friedrich Trendelenburg.

Not to be confused with Trendelenburg test or Trendelenburg gait.
Trendelenburg's sign
Positive Trendelenburg's sign, as illustrated in the first description
Differential diagnosisparalyzed abductor muscles

The Trendelenburg sign is said to be positive if, when standing on one leg (the 'stance leg'), the pelvis drops on the side opposite to the stance leg. The muscle weakness is present on the side of the stance leg. If the patient compensates for this weakness (by tilting their trunk/thorax to the affected side), then the pelvis will be raised, rather than dropped, on the side opposite to the stance leg. Ergo, in the same situation, the patient's hip may be dropped or raised, dependent upon whether the patient is actively compensating, as above, or not. Compensation shifts the centre of gravity to the affected side, and also decreases the angle between the hip adductor muscles and femur, both of which decrease the forces needing to be applied by the hip adductor muscles to maintain relevant posture.

The gluteus medius is very important during the stance phase of the gait cycle to maintain both hips at the same level. Moreover, one leg stance accounts for about 60% of the gait cycle. Furthermore, during the stance phase of the gait cycle, there is approximately three times the body weight transmitted to the hip joint. The hip abductors' action accounts for two thirds of that body weight. A Trendelenburg sign can occur when there is presence of a muscular dysfunction (weakness of the gluteus medius or minimus) or when someone is experiencing pain.

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