Sonographic evaluation of gluteus medius and minimus tendinopathy

Our objective was to describe the sonographic appearance of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons in normal subjects, and to illustrate the spectrum of sonographic findings in gluteus tendinopathies. Sonography was performed in 20 asymptomatic volunteers. Seventy-five consecutive patients (59 women, 16 men; mean age 57.1 years) presented with pain and point tenderness over the greater trochanter. There were 43 right hips and 32 left hips. Ten patients provided a history of a traumatic incident with subsequent symptoms (mean duration 3.2 months). All patients underwent sonography to assess the site and severity of injury, and to discriminate tendinosis from partial and complete tear. Calcific foci, bony change, and fluid in the trochanteric bursae were noted. Twenty-two patients subsequently underwent surgery. Fifty-three (53 of 75) patients showed sonographic evidence of gluteus medius tendinopathy. Twenty-eight patients were thought to have tendinopathy without discrete tear. Sixteen patients had partial tears and 9 full-thickness tears. Gluteus minimus tendinopathy was detected in 10 of 75 patients. Foci of tendinopathy and partial tears were more common in the deep and anterior portions of the gluteus medius tendon attachment. Eight patients had fluid pooling in the trochanteric bursae. Findings were confirmed in 22 patients at surgery. Sonography can identify gluteus medius and minimus tendinopathy and provides information about the severity of the disease.