What does a positive/present finding in the Trendelenburg Test indicate?

• A. Patient can hold pelvic level when lifting the leg
• B. Patient cannot maintain pelvic level, or leans over the standing leg
• C. Patient experiences pain in the knee
• D. Patient's hip flexors are overly tight

Answer: (B)

A positive finding in the Trendelenburg Test indicates that the patient cannot maintain pelvic level when lifting the leg, which is demonstrated by a noticeable drop of the pelvis on the side opposite to the raised leg. This test is primarily used to assess the function of the gluteus medius muscle, which is crucial for stabilizing the pelvis during walking and weight-bearing activities. If the gluteus medius is weak or compromised, the patient will lean over the standing leg or will show lateral movement of the pelvis to compensate for this instability. This response highlights the importance of hip abductor strength in maintaining proper pelvic alignment during movement, shedding light on possible issues in gait and balance.

Conversely, the other items reflect different assessments or conditions not specifically relevant to the Trendelenburg Test. The ability to hold the pelvic level pertains to a normal test outcome, while pain in the knee and tight hip flexors are separate considerations that might affect overall mobility but are not directly assessed by this specific test.