Trendelenburg Mirror Check
Also known as hip drop test, single-leg stance test.
Checks: The strength and control of the muscles on the side of the hip
What this checks
This checks whether the muscles on the outside of your hip can keep your pelvis level when you stand on one leg. If the pelvis drops on the opposite side, or your hip pain flares, those muscles and their tendons may not be coping with the load.
Do not do this test if
you have had a recent significant hip injury or fall, you cannot stand on the leg at all, the hip is very painful at rest or at night, your balance is poor and you have no safe support, or you feel unwell with the pain. See a doctor first if any of those apply.
How to do it
Step 1
Stand facing a mirror
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips so you can see the level of your pelvis.
- Have a wall or rail within reach for safety.
Step 2
Lift one foot to stand on the test leg
- Bend the other knee and lift that foot a few centimetres off the floor.
- Do not hitch or push off - just lift it clear.
Step 3
Hold for up to 30 seconds and watch your pelvis
- Keep standing on the test leg and watch the mirror.
- Note whether the hip on the lifted-leg side drops down, or your trunk leans over the standing leg to compensate.
Step 4
Note any hip pain and compare sides
- Note any pain over the bony point on the outside of the standing hip.
- Repeat standing on the other leg and compare.
What your result means
Likely normal
A negative result usually looks like this.
- Your pelvis stays level for the full hold.
- No pain over the outer hip.
- Both sides feel similar and steady.
Possible problem
A positive result usually looks like this.
- The hip on the lifted side visibly drops, or you lean hard over the standing leg.
- Pain over the bony point on the outside of the standing hip.
- You cannot hold the position for anywhere near as long on the sore side.
Tips for a clearer result
Small things that make the test easier to read.
- Do it in front of a mirror so you can see the pelvis drop.
- Keep a fingertip on a wall for balance, not for support.
- Stop if the outer hip pain is sharp or lingers afterwards.
How to read this
A positive result may point towards gluteal tendinopathy, an irritation of the hip muscle tendons on the outside of the hip, but it cannot confirm it - hip joint and back problems can feel similar, and only a hands-on assessment can tell you for sure.
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. It cannot rule a problem in or out - a physiotherapist can. If your symptoms are severe, spreading, or you feel unwell, see a doctor. Please do not start exercises based on these tests without guidance from a physiotherapist who has assessed you; doing so is at your own risk.
Points towards
If your result points to a problem, these condition guides are a good place to start reading.
Reproduced your pain?
A positive result is worth getting looked at. Book a £40 online assessment with an HCPC-registered physiotherapist, wherever you are in the UK.
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