Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionInjuriesRehabilitationNext in Home Office Ergonomics GuideHow to Treat Hip Bursitis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Injuries
Rehabilitation
Next in Home Office Ergonomics Guide
The gluteus medius is one of the muscles on the side of your hip. It resides underneath yourgluteus maximusmuscle (buttocks muscle), and works with another small muscle, thegluteus minimus, to help support your hip.
The gluteus medius is especially important when it comes to rehabbing lower extremity injuries.Keeping your gluteus medius strong is also one of the most important ways to prevent running injuries.
This article takes a closer look at the anatomy and function of the gluteus medius muscle. It discusses some possible injuries that can affect the gluteus medius, as well as this muscle’s importance in rehabilitation.
Gluteus Medius Anatomy
The gluteus medius originates on the external surface of the outside of the ilium (hip bone). It extends downward—narrowing as it goes—to insert on a rather large knob of bone located on the outside of the upper thigh bone called the greatertrochanter.
If you visualize the gluteus medius muscle from the side, you’d see it as a fan shape that starts at the greater trochanter, where it looks a bit like a stem and widens up and out to cover the side of the hip bone in the area mentioned above.
The gluteus medius is one of several hip muscles—each in their own location and specialized action around the hip joint—that connects the thigh bone and the pelvis.
SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
Gluteus Medius Function
The function of the gluteus medius muscle is to work with other muscles on the side of your hip to help pull your thigh out to the side in a motion called hip abduction.The gluteus medius also serves to rotate your thigh.
The gluteus medius muscle is important in walking. When you are standing on one foot and holding the other leg up in the air, the gluteus medius on the stance leg is very active in keeping your pelvis level.
For example, when walking and lifting your left leg up and forward, the right gluteus medius is contracting to keep your body level. Failure for this to happen may result in gait abnormalities and tipping sideways while walking.
Gluteus Medius Injuries
Injury to the gluteus medius is rare, but it can happen.Muscle and tendon tears might occur as a result of falling or playing sports.
A bursa, or fluid-filled sac, lies between the gluteal muscles and the bony prominence of your hip. Overusing your gluteus muscles can cause the bursa to become inflamed, resulting in a condition calledtrochanteric bursitis.
The gluteus medius may indirectly contribute to many other lower extremity problems.Weaknessin this muscle group has been implicated in conditions such as:
Weakness in your gluteus medius may cause your thigh to angle inwards and rotate abnormally during walking, running, and jumping.This may cause excessive stress through your knee and ankle and may place you at increased risk of injury if the weakness persists.
When this happens, yourphysical therapistmay call it a collapsing kinetic chain, in which your entire knee turns and bends inwards like it is collapsing. Some refer to this as dormant butt syndrome. Your glutes (butt) are not working properly, and your leg is in a bad position.
Gluteus Medius Pain: What Are My Treatment Options?
If you are having hip pain, knee pain, or any otherlower extremity problem, your physical therapist should include a muscular screening of the gluteal muscles.If weakness is identified, specific exercises can be initiated to improve the function of the gluteus medius.
These exercises may include:
Learning how to use your glutes properly during high-level athletics that require jumping and quick motions is important, too.
Hopping on one footalso requires strong hips and gluteal muscles, and your PT may incorporate this into your rehab program after a hip, knee, or ankle injury.
Speak with your healthcare provider or physical therapist before starting any exercise program to make sure it is safe for you.
10 Gluteus Medius Exercises for Stronger Hips and Buns
Summary
The gluteus medius is an important hip stabilizer that helps control the position of your pelvis, hips, knees, and ankles. Although gluteus medius injuries are rare, having weak gluteus medius muscles increase your risk for lower extremity injuries.
If you are having any lower extremity pain, check with your healthcare provider and then visit a physical therapist to start on the right treatment for you. Ask your PT to check your glutes and make sure that they are functioning properly to help you get back to your normal, pain-free activity level.
How to Treat Hip Bursitis
12 Sources
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