National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Special Practice Exam 2026 - Free NPTE Practice Questions and Study Guide

A positive Trendelenburg sign indicates hip abductor weakness, particularly involving the gluteus medius and minimus muscles. This clinical sign is assessed when a patient is asked to stand on one leg. If there is weakness in these hip abductors, the pelvis will drop on the opposite side, leading to an inability to maintain a level pelvis while standing on the affected leg.

In functional terms, the hip abductors are crucial for stabilizing the pelvis during activities such as walking, running, or standing on one leg. When a patient exhibits a positive Trendelenburg sign, it suggests that these muscles are not providing sufficient support, resulting in the characteristic pelvic drop. This can have various underlying causes, including muscular weakness due to conditions like hip osteoarthritis, neurological disorders, or after a hip surgery.

Other options do not align with the implications of a positive Trendelenburg sign. While adductor weaknesses could affect stability in certain ways, they are not directly linked to this sign. Strength in hip extensors usually would not present with the noted pelvic drop and increased range of motion does not reflect the functional deficit observed with a positive sign, which specifically highlights weakness in the abductor group.