College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

If a patient's right pelvis drops while balancing on their left leg, which muscle should be strengthened?

1. Left gluteus medius

2. Right gluteus medius

3. Left gluteus maximus

4. Right gluteus maximus

The correct answer is: Left gluteus medius

When a patient exhibits a dropping of the right pelvis while balancing on the left leg, this indicates that the muscles responsible for stabilizing the pelvis on the left side are not functioning effectively. The primary muscle responsible for stabilizing the pelvis during single-leg stance is the gluteus medius, particularly the left gluteus medius in this scenario. Strengthening the left gluteus medius is crucial because this muscle plays a key role in maintaining pelvic alignment and stability when weight is placed on the opposite leg. When the left gluteus medius is weak, it fails to provide adequate support, leading to the right pelvis dropping as the body compensates for the lack of stability. By focusing on strengthening the left gluteus medius, the patient can improve their pelvic stability, which will help prevent the dropping and potentially improve their overall balance and gait. The other muscles listed do not address the specific issue of pelvic stabilization on the left leg during stance.