Unilateral Hypertrophy of the Tensor Fascia Lata

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Hip pain can stem from various musculoskeletal conditions.
• Gluteal tendinopathy is a common cause of lateral hip pain.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.

Observation:

• A 57-year-old woman presented with right hip pain, initially treated for gluteus medius tendinopathy.
• Following treatment, she developed a painful swelling, raising suspicion for malignancy.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound confirmed hypertrophy of the tensor fascia lata (TFL) muscle.

Findings:

• Unilateral hypertrophy of the tensor fascia lata (TFL) muscle was diagnosed.
• This condition is part of the differential diagnosis for soft tissue masses in the anterolateral thigh.
• Etiology is likely associated with gluteal muscle dysfunction, specifically the minimus and medius gluteus muscles.

Implications:

• Hypertrophy of the tensor fascia lata (TFL) muscle can mimic other pathologies, including malignancy.
• Gluteal muscle dysfunction may play a role in the development of TFL hypertrophy.
• This case highlights the importance of considering TFL muscle hypertrophy in the differential diagnosis of hip and thigh masses.