Which sign is used to screen for hip stability in older children?

• A. Trendelenburg sign
• B. Ortolani sign
• C. Barlow sign
• D. Galeazzi sign

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how to evaluate hip stability and the strength of hip abductor muscles in older children. The Trendelenburg sign tests this by having the child stand on one leg. If the stance leg’s hip abductors (gluteus medius) are strong and the hip is stable, the pelvis should stay level. A positive Trendelenburg sign occurs when the pelvis drops on the opposite side, indicating weakness of the pelvis-stabilizing muscles or hip instability on the stance leg.

Ortolani and Barlow signs are techniques used on infants to detect congenital hip dislocation, not assessment tools for older children. Galeazzi (Allis) sign is also used in infants to identify hip dislocation by comparing knee height when lying down. They’re not appropriate for screening hip stability in older kids, where the Trendelenburg test provides the relevant assessment.