During a balance assessment, a physical therapist observes that the patient exhibits a trendelenburg gait pattern. Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY cause of this gait deviation?

Question

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Weak hip abductors. Answer: Weak hip abductors A trendelenburg gait pattern is characterized by the dropping of the pelvis on the contralateral side of the body when one leg is lifted. This is typically due to weakness of the hip abductors on the stance leg side. Tight hip adductors do not typically cause a trendelenburg gait but may contribute to a scissoring gait. Weak quadriceps may result in difficulty with knee extension during stance phase. Shortened Achilles tendon could lead to early heel rise and toe walking, but not specifically a trendelenburg gait.

During a balance assessment, a physical therapist observes that the patient exhibits a trendelenburg gait pattern. Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY cause of this gait deviation?

Related questions

Free practice here. Timed mocks when you are ready.