Trendelenburg gait - pelvis stabilization. Which muscles stabilize the pelvis on the stance leg?

Trendelenburg gait - pelvis stabilization. Which muscles stabilize the pelvis on the stance leg?

• A. Tensor fascia latae and iliotibial band.
• B. Quadriceps and hamstrings.
• C. Adductor longus and magnus.
• D. Gluteus medius and gluteus minimus on the stance leg.

Answer: (D)

When walking, the pelvis must stay level while one leg is bearing weight. That stability in the stance leg comes mainly from the hip abductors contracting to keep the pelvis from dropping on the opposite side. The primary stabilizers are the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus on the stance leg. They attach to the greater trochanter and contract to abduct the thigh, maintaining a level pelvis during single-leg stance. If these muscles are weak, the pelvis tends to drop on the swing leg side, producing a Trendelenburg gait; people may compensate by leaning the trunk toward the stance leg. The tensor fasciae latae and iliotibial band can assist with abduction and tensioning the lateral fascia, offering extra stabilization, but they are not the main stabilizers. Quadriceps and hamstrings mainly act on the knee, not pelvis stabilization. Adductors pull the thigh toward the midline and don’t primarily stabilize the pelvis in single-leg stance.

When walking, the pelvis must stay level while one leg is bearing weight. That stability in the stance leg comes mainly from the hip abductors contracting to keep the pelvis from dropping on the opposite side. The primary stabilizers are the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus on the stance leg. They attach to the greater trochanter and contract to abduct the thigh, maintaining a level pelvis during single-leg stance. If these muscles are weak, the pelvis tends to drop on the swing leg side, producing a Trendelenburg gait; people may compensate by leaning the trunk toward the stance leg.

The tensor fasciae latae and iliotibial band can assist with abduction and tensioning the lateral fascia, offering extra stabilization, but they are not the main stabilizers. Quadriceps and hamstrings mainly act on the knee, not pelvis stabilization. Adductors pull the thigh toward the midline and don’t primarily stabilize the pelvis in single-leg stance.