Gluteus Medius Tear

A gluteus medius tear occurs when excessive strain leads to a partial or complete rupture of the muscle. This hip muscle plays a crucial role in lower body movement and maintaining pelvic stability while walking. It starts from the upper pelvic bone and connects to the femur at the greater trochanter via the gluteus medius tendon, serving as a hip abductor for lateral movement and joint stabilisation. Tears typically develop at the tendon’s attachment to the femur.

Gluteus medius tears are frequently seen in athletes, particularly runners and those engaged in high-impact sports like soccer or basketball. They can result from sudden movements, poor muscle flexibility, trauma, overuse, or degenerative changes.

Common symptoms include pain and tenderness on the outer hip, which worsens with activities like running, climbing stairs, prolonged sitting or walking, and lying on the affected side. A key indicator is the Trendelenburg sign, where the pelvis drops toward the unaffected side due to an inability to support weight on the injured limb.

For partial or mild tears, rest, pain relieving medication and physiotherapy may be enough for the muscle to heal over a period of weeks to months.

For complete, full-thickness tears, surgery is usually required. In most cases, this surgery can be done endocsopically where the torn tendon is reattached using keyhole surgery allowing for a faster recovery. Dr Yu will be able to advise on what options are suitable in each individual situation.