Damage to which muscles leads to Trendelenburg gait?

The Trendelenburg gait is characterized by an abnormal walking pattern resulting from weakness or dysfunction of the hip abductors, primarily the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles. These muscles play a critical role in stabilizing the pelvis during walking. When one of the gluteal muscles on the supporting leg is weak, it fails to maintain the alignment of the pelvis, leading to a tilting motion towards the unsupported side.

In a healthy gait, when you lift one leg, the opposite side of the pelvis should remain level due to the action of the gluteus medius and minimus. However, if these muscles are weakened (for instance, due to injury or neurological conditions), the pelvis will drop on the side opposite the leg that is being lifted, creating the characteristic hip drop seen in Trendelenburg gait. Consequently, individuals may lean their body towards the side of the weakness, visually compensating for the pelvic drop and altering their overall gait mechanics.

The other options discuss muscles that do not primarily affect pelvic stability during gait. The vastus lateralis and rectus femoris are primarily involved in knee extension, while the adductor longus and brevis are responsible for hip adduction. The psoas major