The purpose of these tests is to examine the stability of the hip. In other words, can the abductors stabilise the pelvis on the femur?
Procedure
- Stand about 2 to 3 metres behind the patient.
- Ask the patient to lift up one leg (90° flexion in hip and knee) [Figure 43].
- Note:
- Whether the torso tilts over the weight bearing leg (Duchenne sign).
- Whether the pelvis sinks contra-laterally with respect to the weight baring leg (Trendelenburg sign). Determine this on the basis of the position of both posterior superior iliac spines.
Figure 43
