Abstract
Dysfunction of hip abductors, important players for the medial-1ateral stability of the pelvis, is characterized by positive Trendelenburg's sign, which is often seen in patients with hip disorders. We conducted this pilot study to determine whether pelvic tilt angle affects hip abductor strength in normal young female subjects.
Eleven subjects (20.0 ± 1.2 years) volunteered to participate. Isometric hip abductor torque was measured by means of a hand-held dynamometer in a supine position. Pelvic tilt angle was changed at 5 and 10 degrees with a hard pillow placed posterior to the lumbar spine for anterior tilt and posterior to the sacrum for posterior tilt of the pelvis.
Abductor torque was found to be the greatest in a neutral pelvic tilt angle. An angle-dependent decrease in abductor torque was observed in both anterior and posterior tilt.
Changes in pelvic tilt angle, whatever anterior or posterior, decreased hip abductor strength in normal young female subjects. Further studies are needed to determine whether anterior tilt due to flexion contracture of the hip and posterior tilt due to kyphotic deformity of the lumbar spine are involved in dysfunction of the hip abductors in patients with hip disorders.
