Corrective Exercise Toolkit

Lateral Pelvic Tilt (Hip Drop)

Lateral pelvic tilt (hip drop) is a frontal-plane pelvic deviation often seen during single-leg stance or gait, typically due to hip abductor weakness.

Lumbar/Pelvis - Postural

Biomechanical Mechanism

Weak gluteus medius and lateral core stability allow the pelvis to drop on the contralateral side, increasing valgus stress at the knee.

Clinical Rationale

Hip drop increases knee valgus and lumbar strain. Restoring lateral hip control reduces compensations.

Practical Solution

Progress from isolated activation to single-leg control drills and gait integration.

Common Compensations

Progression

  1. 1Level 1: Side-lying activation
  2. 2Level 2: Lateral band walks
  3. 3Level 3: Single-leg control
  4. 4Level 4: Gait and plyometric integration

Regression

  • Use support
  • Reduce load
  • Shorten hold times

Red Flags

Differential Diagnosis

Hip abductor tendinopathyL5 radiculopathyHip joint pathology
Related Assessments
trendelenburg assessmentsingle leg squat assessmenthip abduction strength assessment
Related Exercises
hip hitchside lying hip abductionlateral step bandmodified side plank bandside plankclamshellmonster walksingle leg balancesingle leg hip thrust

Evidence

Level: strong

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (level 1) show that hip hitch and pelvic drop exercises generate high gluteus medius activity across segments. Gluteus medius strengthening and progressive loading exercises (side-lying abduction, lateral step, single-leg bridge, resisted side-step) improve pain, function, and single-leg control; frontal plane pelvic control is linked to abductor activation and knee loading.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of common therapeutic exercises that generate highest muscle activity in the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus segments.

systematic review/meta-analysis View source

A systematic review of rehabilitation exercises to progressively load the gluteus medius.

systematic review View source

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