Abstract
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is often diagnosed in patients who present with pain over the lateral aspect of the hip. Trauma with injury to the gluteus minimus and medius muscles results in hip pain, which should be considered when diagnosing chronic pain of the lateral hip. The gluteus minimus tendon insertion is located anterior to the anterior facet of the greater trochanter of the femur anatomically. Hence, gluteus minimus tendon pathology may also manifest as chronic lateral hip pain and is considered as the etiology of GTPS. These conditions do not respond to physiotherapy and analgesia. Both open and keyhole endoscopic methods have produced good results in addressing hip pain and abduction weakness. There is a lack of literature regarding isolated gluteus minimus tendon tear as the cause of chronic lateral hip pain or GTPS. Here, we present a rare case of a middle-aged lady with GTPS due to isolated gluteus minimus injury.
Highlights
The gluteus minimus and medius muscles are the main abductors of the hip joint, and injury to the tendons connecting these muscles at insertion is increasingly being recognized in patients with lateral hip pain and abduction weakness
The etiology is unclear, a study by William et al reported that the increased prevalence of up to 25% of late-middle-aged women may be correlated with altered biomechanics due to the differences in the shape, size, and orientation of the pelvis and its relationship with the iliotibial band disorders (ITB) [2] In most patients, an abductor tendon tear is accompanied by trochanteric bursitis, which is often a precursor or a result of gluteus muscle tendinopathy [3]
Patients with Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) usually present with a gradual onset of pain at the lateral aspect of the hip; clinicians should consider acute tear or avulsion of the gluteus minimus when dealing with these patients
Summary
The gluteus minimus and medius muscles are the main abductors of the hip joint, and injury to the tendons connecting these muscles at insertion is increasingly being recognized in patients with lateral hip pain and abduction weakness. This is a scenario observed in elderly women in the fourth to sixth decades of life. During follow-up at six months after surgery, the patient achieved full arc of motion (i.e., internal rotation, 25°; external rotation, 45°; extension, 10°; and flexion, 130°) She regained right hip strength and function, which were comparable to those of the left hip. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) was relieved
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
