Execution
- 1Position the patient standing near a wall or support for safety.
- 2Ask the patient to stand on the symptomatic leg with the hip in neutral.
- 3Allow light fingertip support for balance if needed without unloading the limb.
- 4Time the stance for up to 30 seconds.
- 5Record whether familiar lateral hip pain is reproduced within 30 seconds.
Positive outcome
Reproduction of familiar lateral hip pain within 30 seconds is positive for gluteal tendinopathy or GTPS. Inability to maintain pelvic control should be documented separately from pain reproduction. Balance failure alone is not the same as a positive tendon pain test.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lequesne et al. (2008) | NA | 100 | 97.3 | 37.0 | 0.0 |
| Grimaldi et al. (2017) | NA | 38 | 100 | infinity | 0.62 |
CommentThe 30-second single-leg stance test has striking specificity in some gluteal tendinopathy studies, but sensitivity differs markedly between Lequesne and Grimaldi cohorts. The infinite or very high LR+ values are unstable because of perfect or near-perfect specificity in selected samples. Use it as a strong supportive sign when positive, not as a screening test.
Moderate Clinical Value