Gluteus Minimus

The gluteus minimus is a small muscle known for its precise control during hip movements, such as walking. This small fan-shaped muscle is often unnoticed, as it lies beneath the gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus. It works as a deep stabiliser constantly to stabilise the hip, align the pelvis, and refine the lower limb movements.  

It closely mimics the gluteus medius in structure and function, from being a fan-shaped muscle to having stabilisation of the hip joint as the primary function.    

Name origin: Gluteus minimus originates from classical roots. The term “Gluteus” comes from the Greek word “Gloutos,” meaning buttock, and “minimus” comes from Latin, meaning smallest.

Anatomy

Gluteus minimus makes up the innermost layer of the gluteal region, fanning out from the ischium and narrowing as it passes down to attach to the femur.

Proximal attachment:

Proximally, the gluteus minimus fans out over the external or outer surface of the ilium between the posterior gluteal lines, below the iliac crest.

Distal attachment:

Distally, it converges to attach at the anterior surface of the greater trochanter of the femur. 

Nerve innervation:

The gluteus minimus is innervated by the superior gluteal nerve, a branch of the sacral plexus (L5, S1, S2).

Blood supply:

This muscle gets a good blood supply from the superior gluteal artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery. 

Function

The Gluteus Minimus may be the smallest of the gluteal muscles, but it plays several crucial roles in hip stability and movement. This muscle fine-tunes the hip movements and pelvic stabilisation with precision. As mentioned earlier,  this muscle lies immediately underneath and mimics the gluteus medius in structure and function. 

Concentric (shortening) action:

Standard mover action:(distal attachment moving towards proximal) 

  • All the fibres of the gluteus minimus will help in the abduction of the thigh at the hip joint.  
  • The anterior fibres help in flexion and internal rotation at the hip joint. 
  • The posterior fibres help in extension and external rotation of the hip joint. 

Reverse mover action:(proximal attachment moving towards distal) 

  • All the fibres of this muscle depress the same side of the pelvis. 
  • Anterior fibres will assist in the anterior pelvic tilt and ipsilateral pelvic rotation. 
  • Posterior fibres will assist in the posterior pelvic tilt and contralateral pelvic rotation.

Eccentric (lengthening) action:

It restrains and controls the adduction of the hip joint, as well as the flexion, internal rotation by the posterior fibres and extension, external rotation by the anterior fibres.  

Isometric function:

  • The isometric action of the gluteus minimus will directly stabilise the pelvis and hip joint. 
  • Since it resists medial rotation of the thigh, thereby preventing medial rotation of the entire limb and stabilises the subtalar joint.

What does the gluteus minimus do?

The gluteus minimus will help smooth every movement of the hip joint. In simple terms, it helps move the thighs out to the side, away from the midline, and turns the thigh inwards, which are essential movements happening during walking, jogging, and climbing stairs. 

During a single-leg stance, this muscle helps prevent the pelvis from dropping on the opposite side and keeps the femoral head in the acetabulum, ensuring a smooth gait and efficient joint movement.

What causes pain in the gluteus minimus?

Pain in the gluteus minimus will be deep and mimic sciatica pain. There are several causes for pain in the gluteus minimus, including repetitive overuse, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, muscle weakness, and muscle strain.

Repetitive overuse:

The Gluteus Minimus muscle is constantly at work during walking, running, and standing on one leg. Repetitive use without sufficient recovery can lead to microtears, inflammation, or fatigue, resulting in deep, aching pain.

Muscle weakness:

Weakness in the gluteus minimus muscle jeopardises pelvic stability during many of the everyday activities. This can cause the adjacent muscles to overuse and lead to pain. 

When there is weakness of the gluteus medius also, this puts the hip stability at risk and causes a waddling gait and Trendelenburg sign. This increases the risk of greater tronchantric pain syndrome. 

Greater Trochantric Pain Syndrome (GTPS):

It refers to the pain and tenderness over the lateral aspect of the hip. It is tendinopathy of the gluteus medius and minimus, caused by degeneration, overuse or chronic weakness of these muscles.

Gluteus minimus muscle strain:

A gluteus minimus strain occurs when the muscle fibres are overstretched or overloaded beyond their capacity. This deep muscle can go for strain when the other glute muscles are weak, and this small muscle has to compensate excessively. Other causes include repetitive overuse, direct trauma or sudden high-intensity hip movement such as jumping or side-stepping.

How to stop gluteus minimus pain?

Pain in the gluteus minimus can arise from various reasons, as mentioned above. Identifying the cause of the pain will help alleviate the pain and improve the person’s functional ability. 

Strengthening the Gluteus minimus and other muscles can help modulate pain in the muscle or tendon. The following are a few exercise recommendations for strengthening the gluteus minimus. 

  • Isometric exercises: single-leg stance, side-lying abduction hold, and clamshell isometric hold. 
  • Resistance training: side-lying abduction, clamshell, cable abduction, lateral band walks, and side-plank leg lift. 
  • Eccentric exercises: controlled-step down, lateral step down, and lateral lunges.