Walking with a Hip Drop? It Could Be Trendelenburg Gait. Trendelenburg gait is a common walking pattern caused by weakness of the gluteus medius and other hip abductor muscles. Normally, when you stand on one leg during walking or running, your hip abductors contract to keep your pelvis level. If they’re too weak, the pelvis drops on the opposite side, creating the characteristic “hip drop” or side-to-side sway. This isn’t just a walking issue—it can affect your entire lower body. Weak hip abduc