Gluteus medius and minimus tendinopathy are painful and debilitating disorders in athletes. Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez looks at the identification and rehabilitation options for this kind of injury…
No matter the condition that is overall of an athlete, the fact is that there are instances when their sport’s demands exceeds the movement and stability available during the kinetic chain of joints and the muscles utilized to execute that movement. Pattern compensation can occur if any weakness exists in almost any plane of motion and injury might be the outcome.
An illness that can arise from this and similar situations is gluteal tendinopathy (either medius or minimum). The mixture of overuse and inherent weakness of the gluteus medius and minimis can lead to stress, tearing, or degeneration of the muscles or their various tendons, inducing tendinopathy in the athlete.
Table of Contents
A schematic view of gluteus medius and minimus can be viewed in Figure 1. The gluteus medius originates in the ilium inferior to the iliac crest and spans to the lateral and superior surfaces of the greater trochanter. Medius has two insertions: the superoposterior facet and the aspect. Of the two, the aspect includes a bigger area of insertion. Medius is a main hip abductor; the hip, while the posterior fibers help in external rotation is internally rotated by its anterior fibres. In weightbearing positions, these muscles keep the pelvis out of falling.
Tendinopathy is characterised by lateral hip pain in the shared insertion on the greater trochanter of the femur, and is often associated with higher trochanteric bursitis(1). Typically patients will complain of a dull and bronchial lateral hip pain, which can be aggravated abduction and by weight bearing under load.
To help distinguish the underlying muscular pathology (ie whether gluteus medius or minimus tendinopathy lies), medius tendinopathy often poses as tenderness along the anterior aspect of the greater trochanter in the tendinous insertion, whereas pain in the anterior part of the greater trochanter indicates the difficulties are more likely to be credited to gluteus minimus. In addition testing might be useful to help differentiate muscular from bursal pathology.
In some patients, however may present masquerading as other ailments, which then can lead to mismanagement and misdiagnosis of the condition. This is partly due to descriptions of the gluteus minimus are not always true and treatment protocols are not always unique to the pathology. Additionally, referred pain from the gluteus minimus can be acute as well as its source is relatively concealed; pain may be felt at the lateral and posterior element of the lower limb as far as the outer ankle and upward into the buttock, imitating sciatica(two). Palpation of the trigger point that is profound is not easy.
When it comes to examining patients with suspected gluteal tendinopathy, a comprehensive and stepwise approach to the evaluation is recommended. This strategy should consist of taking a history from the patient, an inspection of the hip, palpation, followed by evaluations of range of movement, stability, and strength in all planes of motion. Areas and joints around the hip area (eg SI joint, lumbar spine) should also be analyzed. Gait patterns should be observed, noting any discrepancy and compensations due to weakness, in addition to heel strike and avoidance patterns. An MRI scan and/or ultrasound imaging is strongly suggested in case avulsion is suspected.
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive test to rule tendinopathy outside or in. But, there are quite a few different tests that can be quite helpful when assessing a patient. These are as follows:
In a 2008 study investigated the diagnostic reliability for gluteal tendinopathy of two additional tests: the 30-second single leg stance test and also the resisted external derotation test(5). In the single leg stance test, the individual accounts on one leg for 30 minutes with individual’s hands held by the examiner to limit trunk influence. The test is deemed favorable if pain is experienced at any given time point. From the outside derotation test (see Figure 2), the patient lies in the supine position with the hip flexed to 90 degrees and brought into end range external rotation (or the point of pain). The individual is then asked to return to neutral. Reproduction of pain is considered a positive test.
The reliability value of these tests is considered high. In the analysis, two groups of patients were compared with both the evaluations — a target group of 17 patients who were suffering from hip pain anterior, lateral, or posterior to the greater trochanter or involving the thigh, along with a pain-free control group of 19 patients.
In the single-leg, the target group stance reproduced immediate, early, and spontaneous pain in 5 patients, 7, and 5 . The external derotation that was resisted generated pain lying in the supine position. In one of both of these patients, pain has been produced from the position. In the control group, 38 hips were analyzed with only one outcome. Following the tests, MRI imaging was carried, showing tendinopathy and/or bursitis of the gluteus medius and/or minimus tendons.
Statistical analysis showed excellent sensitivity and specificity, with 100 percent and 97.3%, respectively, for its single-leg stance test and 88% and 97.3percent, respectively, for its resisted external derotation test in the supine position. For the latter test, the sensitivity increased to 94% with results that were positive in the prone position in the case of negative effects in the supine position.
As with tendinopathies, the main goal is the reduction of pain and dysfunction before progressing to eccentric training. Although no research on the advantages of eccentric training have been carried out especially on gluteal tendinopathy, there’s good evidence in the literature because of this particular rationale, where the therapy of the achilles tendon, patellar tendon, along with lateral epicondylitis are strongly supported(6,7). There are no theoretical reasons why the principles can’t be implemented in the treatment of gluteal tendinopathy.
Gluteal tendinopathy is a painful requirement to get an athlete and its diagnosis is not always straightforward. However, a stepwise and comprehensive test in clinic, which includes applicable and tests like the 30-second Single leg stance test and the resisted derotation test will help clinicians arrive at a diagnosis. As with other tendinopathies, that is approached by a rehab focuses on the reduction of pain and dysfunction, followed by a progression to eccentric training that is therapeutic is likely to yield good results.
References
1. Clin J Sport Med. 2011;21(5):447-453
2. Movement, stability and low back pain. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1997. p.53-71
3. Eur Radiol. 2003; 13: 1339-1347
4. Surg Radiol Anat. 2004; 26: 433-446
5. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2008; 59(2) 241–246
6. Brit J of Sports Med. 2013;47(9):536-544
7. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26(3):360-366
8. Int J Sports Phys Ther. Nov 2014; 9(6): 785–797
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Gluteal Tendinopathy" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card
Can cervical retraction be a good addition to a home exercise program for individuals with… Read More
Can individuals relieve back pain by incorporating core strength training to reduce pain and discomfort… Read More
Is the clean and press recommended for intermediate-level weightlifters looking to increase strength and power?… Read More
Can individuals incorporate the beneficial properties of l-theanine into their routines to reduce stress and… Read More
For individuals going through post surgery, injury rehabilitation, illness and/or chronic condition management, can physical… Read More
Can individuals utilize chiropractic care to reduce sciatica pain and help restore mobility to their… Read More