Gluteus medius tendon dysfunction and tears
Gluteus Medius Tendon Dysfunction and Tears
- symptomatic tendinosis and tears of the gluteus medius/ minimus insertion on the greater trochanter - similar to a tear of the insertion of the rotator cuff
- presentation is with dull lateral hip pain
- frequently aggravated by weightbearing and resisted abduction
- presentation is with dull lateral hip pain
- tears of the gluteus medius and minimus may be a common cause of recalcitrant lateral trochanteric pain
- tears of the hip abductors may be interstitial or partial/full thickness
- partial tears are most common
- tears of the hip abductors may be interstitial or partial/full thickness
- investigation
- MRI or ultrasound
- useful to evaluate the integrity of the abductor tendon insertion on the greater trochanter
- MRI or ultrasound
Treatment
- generally conservative
- modification of activity, massage, ice, stretching
- corticosteroid injections may provide relief
- surgical treatment
- considered only in refractory cases
- open techniques for tendon repair- provide excellent symptomatic relief
- arthroscopic techniques have been shown to provide pain relief and improvement in strength
- considered only in refractory cases
Reference:
- Grumet RC et al. Lateral Hip Pain in an Athletic Population: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Options.Sports Health 2010; 2(3): 191-6.
- Connell DA et al. Sonographic evaluation of gluteus medius and minimus tendinopathy. Eur Radiol. 2003;13(6):1339-1347.
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