IPHREHAB : Lateral Hip OR Thigh Pain , Gluteus Minimus

 
Lateral Hip / Thigh Pain 

Anterior Gluteus Minimus 

Gluteus Minimus causes lateral hip thigh and even lower limb pain. Regular snap diagnosis of sciatica is common, but because there is no pain in the posterior thigh, one should focus on the anterior portion of Gluteus Minimus (G Min.). Trigger points in this muscle will refer down the lat thigh and into the lower lateral leg to just above lateral malleolus. 

Diagnosis:Ask the patient if it reproduces or intensifies their pain when pressed forcefully into the G Min. If it does then most likely its a triggered G min. To palpate the anterior G Min, locate the ASIS, then the TFL just inferior and posterior to it. Then move about an inch posterior to the TFL. Now you are on the anterior portion of the Gluteus Minimus. 

PROFESSIONAL,PHYSIOTHERAPIST,CLINICAL TECHNIQUE.

Release:   Counter strain for the anterior Gluteus Minimus. With the patient supine, stand on the side of the triggered G Min, gently palpate the trigger point while you: 

• Flex the hip to approximately 40- 60 degrees. 
• Abduct the hip 45-60 degrees. 
• Rotate internally or sometimes externally to fine tune and soften the trigger point until it no longer is painful to poke. 
• Hold this position for approximately 90-120 seconds and then slowly and passively return the patient’s hip back to the table. 
• Poking again should no longer produce any discomfort or at least a 75% reduction in tenderness. 
• As with all counter strain positions, fine tuning to fully turn off the trigger requires a little experimentation with all planes of movement so try a variations within the parameters. 

But one have to see if the pain returns. Many times, cycling and running cause this muscle to increase tone. Also, prolonged sitting as well as pelvic asymmetry and leg length difference add to the dysfunction. 

Recommend strengthen the Gluteus Minimus with closed chain hip abduction on a phone book, lateral walking with cable resistance, etc. (See Closed Chain Hip Abduction exercise below). At end, check the feet to see if a rear foot and or forefoot varus deformity exist. Any or all of these situations may bring the trigger right back by the time the patient resumes normal activity. 

CLOSED CHAIN HIP ABDUCTION 

1. Stand on phone book with affected leg keeping that knee straight. 

2. Raise the opposite foot off the floor keeping the trunk still and knee straight.

3. Repeat 10-15 times or more as tolerated. 

4. Do these 4 times per day as tolerated. 

5. Note: the hip on the phone book side will start to burn, this is norma