Association Between Trendelenburg Sign and Lumbar MRI Abnormalities

Overview

The Trendelenburg sign is a common clinical finding indicating hip abductor dysfunction and altered pelvic stability. The relationship between the Trendelenburg sign, spinopelvic biomechanics, hip muscle strength, and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities remains insufficiently understood. This study aims to investigate the association between Trendelenburg sign positivity and lumbar MRI findings, including facet arthropathy, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, multifidus muscle morphology, and psoas muscle characteristics, as well as spinopelvic biomechanical parameters and hip abductor muscle strength.

The Trendelenburg sign is a clinical indicator of hip abductor muscle dysfunction and altered pelvic stability. Changes in hip abductor function may affect spinopelvic biomechanics and contribute to lumbar degenerative changes. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the association between Trendelenburg sign positivity and lumbar MRI abnormalities in adults with chronic low back pain. Participants will be classified as Trendelenburg-positive or Trendelenburg-negative based on clinical examination. Hip abductor muscle strength and lumbar MRI findings will be evaluated. MRI parameters will include the presence and severity of facet joint arthropathy, ligamentum flavum thickness, multifidus muscle thickness, and psoas muscle characteristics. The primary objective is to determine whether a positive Trendelenburg sign is associated with lumbar facet arthropathy. Secondary objectives include evaluating the relationships between the Trendelenburg sign, hip abductor strength, and other lumbar MRI parameters. The findings may improve understanding of the biomechanical relationship between hip function and lumbar degeneration in patients with chronic low back pain.

Conditions