In Trendelenburg test interpretation, which finding indicates compensatory weakness?

In Trendelenburg test interpretation, which finding indicates compensatory weakness?

• A. Dropping of contralateral pelvis indicates gluteus medius weakness.
• B. Isolated neck pain indicates facet joint involvement.
• C. Trunk lean toward stance leg indicates compensatory weakness.
• D. Pelvis elevation indicates hip adductor tightness.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how the Trendelenburg test reveals hip abductor strength, especially the gluteus medius. When the stance leg’s abductors are weak, they can’t keep the pelvis level during single-leg stance, so the pelvis tends to drop on the opposite side. To cope with this weakness, the body often leans the trunk toward the stance leg, bringing the center of gravity closer to the supporting limb and stabilizing the body. That trunk lean toward the stance leg is a compensatory movement, signaling weakness of the stance-leg hip abductors. Dropping the contralateral pelvis is the direct sign of abductor weakness itself, not the compensatory response. Neck pain is unrelated to this hip-test interpretation, and pelvis elevation isn’t the typical compensatory pattern described in Trendelenburg analysis.

The key idea is how the Trendelenburg test reveals hip abductor strength, especially the gluteus medius. When the stance leg’s abductors are weak, they can’t keep the pelvis level during single-leg stance, so the pelvis tends to drop on the opposite side. To cope with this weakness, the body often leans the trunk toward the stance leg, bringing the center of gravity closer to the supporting limb and stabilizing the body. That trunk lean toward the stance leg is a compensatory movement, signaling weakness of the stance-leg hip abductors.

Dropping the contralateral pelvis is the direct sign of abductor weakness itself, not the compensatory response. Neck pain is unrelated to this hip-test interpretation, and pelvis elevation isn’t the typical compensatory pattern described in Trendelenburg analysis.