Posttraumatic Isolated Right Gluteus Minimus Tear: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Hip Pathophysiology

Background:

• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is characterized by lateral hip pain, often linked to gluteus medius and minimus muscle injury.
• Gluteus minimus tendon pathology, specifically tears at its femoral insertion, is an underrecognized cause of GTPS.
• Conservative treatments like physiotherapy and analgesia are frequently ineffective for these conditions.

Observation:

• This report details a rare case of GTPS in a middle-aged woman.
• The patient presented with chronic lateral hip pain attributed to an isolated gluteus minimus tendon injury.
• The anatomical insertion of the gluteus minimus tendon anterior to the greater trochanter predisposes it to injury.

Findings:

• An isolated gluteus minimus tendon tear was identified as the cause of GTPS in this patient.
• Surgical intervention, including open and endoscopic approaches, has shown promise for hip pain and abduction weakness.
• This case underscores the importance of considering isolated gluteus minimus tears in the differential diagnosis of GTPS.

Implications:

• Recognizing isolated gluteus minimus tears is crucial for accurate GTPS diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
• Further research into the prevalence and management of gluteus minimus tendon tears in GTPS is warranted.
• This case expands the understanding of GTPS etiologies and surgical treatment options.