The Gluteal muscles are the buttock muscles that abduct the hip. These muscles allow us to maintain an upright posture when we stand on one leg whilst walking or running. As we age, these tendons can become degenerate and sometimes tear. If torn they will often result in lateral hip pain. They can cause a bursitis on the side of the hip. It can also result in an obvious limp when walking. Lying on the affected hip is usually painful.
Gluteal tendon tears are often partial thickness tears, which can be managed without surgery. Strengthening of residual muscles fibres and stretching of the overlying tendon (the ilio-tibial band) can successfully reduce symptoms. Injections can be attempted. If these treatments fail then surgical repair of the tendons can be undertaken. This surgery has a slow rehabilitation process with successful operations still taking 6-12 months to fully heal.
