What is a typical strength deficit seen with gluteus medius weakness?

• A. Decreased hip abduction strength with poor pelvic stabilization during single-leg stance
• B. Increased hip adduction strength
• C. Increased knee extension strength
• D. Decreased dorsiflexion strength

Answer: (A)

Gluteus medius weakness shows up as impaired ability to keep the pelvis level when one leg is in the air, which is centered on hip abduction in the frontal plane. The gluteus medius is the main hip abductor and a crucial stabilizer during single-leg stance; when it’s weak, hip abduction strength declines and the pelvis tends to drop on the opposite side as you stand on one leg. This creates a Trendelenburg-type pattern and an unstable gait, reflecting poor pelvic stabilization.

That’s why the best answer is decreased hip abduction strength with poor pelvic stabilization during single-leg stance. The other options don’t fit because they describe changes in strength or function that aren’t primary consequences of gluteus medius weakness (for example, increased hip adduction strength isn’t a typical result of GMed weakness, and knee extension or ankle dorsiflexion strengths are not directly governed by the gluteus medius).