Hip
Functional / Strength
Evidence: confirmed
Pelvic Drop Test (Step-Down) Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing core and hip stability (similar to Trendelenburg but dynamic).
How to Perform
- Action: Patient stands on a step with one leg and slowly lowers the other foot to the floor.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Pelvic drop, trunk leaning, or medial knee collapse (valgus) on the stance leg.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Pelvic Drop Test (Step-Down) should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Hip region, combining the Pelvic Drop Test (Step-Down) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
