Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy

by | May 15, 2025

Understanding Tendinopathies: Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy

In our latest posts, we discussed the common tendinopathies of the ankle and knee, focusing on the Achilles and Patellar tendons, respectively. In today’s blog post, we will continue moving up the leg to the hip and exploring the gluteus medius tendon.

What is the Gluteus Medius Tendon?

The gluteus medius is a muscle in the back side of the hip that sits underneath the glute maximus. It comes from the pelvis and attaches to the greater trochanter of the femur (the bony part felt on the outside of the leg). The gluteus medius plays a crucial role in stabilizing the pelvis during single-leg movements like walking or running, while it is also the prime mover of hip abduction (or bringing your leg out to the side).

What Is Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy?

Gluteus medius tendinopathy is a condition characterized by degeneration and weakening of the tendon over time. This tendon may be responsible if you’ve been dealing with persistent pain around the outside of your hip, particularly during activities like walking, climbing stairs, or lying on your side.

Common Causes of Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy Signs/Symptoms of Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy
  • Overuse or repetitive stress,
  • Poor biomechanics (with everyday tasks)
  • Weak gluteal muscles
  • Age-related changes
  • Poor pelvic and core control

 
  • Pain on the outside of the hip (especially when lying on the affected side).
  • Tenderness over the greater trochanter.
  • Discomfort during weight-bearing activities
  • A feeling of weakness or instability in the hip.
  • Stiffness after periods of inactivity (ie, getting up after sitting).

Trendelenburg Gait and Gluteus Medius Dysfunction

In more severe or chronic cases, gluteus medius weakness can lead to a noticeable gait disturbance known as the Trendelenburg gait. The Trendelenburg gait is a distinctive walking pattern that is caused by a weakness or dysfunction of the gluteus medius muscle. During normal walking, the gluteus medius on the stance leg contracts to stabilize the pelvis and prevent it from dropping toward the opposite side. When the muscle is weak or painful, we tend to see a drop of the pelvis, a compensatory trunk lean (to the affected side,) and altered body mechanics.

Treatment of Gluteus Medius Tendinopathy

  1. Load Management
  • Modify activities to reduce stress on the tendon.
  • Avoid prolonged walking, running, or lying on the affected side.
  1. Physical Therapy
  • Targeted gluteus medius strengthening to restore pelvic control and eliminate Trendelenburg gait.
  • Neuromuscular retraining to correct gait deviations and promote proper movement patterns.
  • Manual therapy/Modalities and stretching to address tight structures and promote pain relief

Conclusion:

Gluteus medius tendinopathy is manageable, but it requires a targeted, load-sensitive approach, especially when gait changes like Trendelenburg are present. If you’re dealing with lateral hip pain or notice your walk has changed, consult with one of the physiotherapists at Kamloops Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre. We can correctly identify the root cause of your problem and help you begin your journey to recovery. 

This blog post was written by physiotherapist Jacob Coelho. To book an appointment with Jacob or one of our other experienced therapists, call 250-314-0788 or book online HERE.