The role of the Trendelenburg Test in the examination of gait

Background: The Trendelenburg Test was developed by Friedrich Trendelenburg, an orthopaedic surgeon, in 1895. Contemporary evidence shows the Trendelenburg Test is now being used internationally by a wide variety of practitioners. Method: This review describes the evolution of the Trendelenburg Test and its role within the examination of gait and examines the evidence relating clinical assessment using the Trendelenburg Test to the mechanics of walking. Literature was reviewed from electronic databases CINAHL, Medline, ScienceDirect, Ovid. Papers written in English were reviewed. Results: The possible outcomes of the Trendelenburg Test and its interpretation are defined. The outcomes and interpretation for the future use of the Trendelenburg Test are discussed. Conclusion: Further research is required into the biomechanics of the Trendelenburg Test and its relationship to functional anatomy and to investigate its reliability and validity within specific populations.