13/11/2025
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The Broken Wing Sign: A New Clinical Test for Gluteus Medius Pathology
🔹 Why it matters:
Gluteus medius tears and atrophy can lead to lateral hip pain, limping, and loss of stability. Early detection is key — and a new clinical test, the Broken Wing Sign, may help identify these issues before imaging is needed.
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🔍 How to Perform the Test:
The patient lies prone (face down).
The knee is flexed to 90°.
The patient actively extends the hip while keeping the thigh neutral.
📸 Fig. 1-A: When the hip remains stable without internal or external rotation → Negative Broken Wing Sign (normal gluteus medius function).
📸 Fig. 1-B: When the leg drifts outward into external rotation, causing the foot to move inward toward the midline → Positive Broken Wing Sign, indicating gluteus medius weakness or tear.
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📊 Study Highlights (59 patients / 75 hips):
Sensitivity: 81.8%
Specificity: 80%
PPV: 91.8%
≥30° external rotation: 100% specificity for a tear
Strong correlation between rotation angle and fatty infiltration (Goutallier ≥3)
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💡 Clinical Takeaway:
The Broken Wing Sign is a simple, reliable, and accurate bedside test for detecting gluteus medius tears and fatty atrophy.
It helps guide MRI use, supports surgical planning, and adds value to your physical examination routine.
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⚠️Disclaimer: Sharing a study or a part of it is NOT an endorsement. Please read the original article and evaluate critically.
⚠️Read the full Article :👇
