Gluteal (Tendinopathy)

Self Help Guides | Hip Conditions | Gluteal (Tendinopathy)

Pathophysiology

Gluteus Medius is a muscle of the buttock which attaches to a bony prominence on the outside of the hip. There are also two bursa (fluid filled sacs) which lie in this area with the role of preventing friction, able to expand and swell to do so. Irritation of the Gluteus Medius tendon (attaching muscle to bone) can lead to tendinopathy and cause you the following symptoms to the outside of your hip.

Symptoms

Pain on the outside of the hip which may radiate towards the knee
Pain when lying on either side in bed
Pain with crossing legs, getting out of a car or climbing stairs
Pain with pressure onto the outside of the hip

Management

Activity modification and offloading e.g avoiding sitting cross legged and using a pillow between knees to sleep at night
Ice or heat
Pain relief
Physiotherapy including range of movement exercises and a graded strengthening programme
Orthopaedic options- If pain and function is limited in severe cases steroid injection may benefit

Investigations

Not generally indicated

Downloads

Download “Gluteal tendinopathy”

Exercises to try

Hip Extension

Bridging

Hip Abductions