GENERAL INFORMATION
The Gluteus Minimus is a small muscle in the buttocks, deep to the Gluteus Medius. It is responsible for hip abduction, internal rotation and stabilisation of the hip joint.
ORIGIN
The Gluteus Minimus originates from the outer surface of the ilium (the upper part of the pelvic bone) between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines.
INSERTION POINT
It inserts into the greater trochanter of the femur (the bony prominence on the side of the upper leg bone) just below the insertion of the Gluteus Medius.
MAJOR ARTERIES
The primary blood supply to the Gluteus Minimus muscle comes from the superior gluteal artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery.
NEURAL INNERVATION
The superior gluteal nerve innervates the Gluteus Minimus muscle, which arises from the sacral plexus. This nerve provides both sensory and motor innervation to the muscle.
TRIGGER POINT
A common trigger point for the Gluteus Minimus muscle is located in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, just below the iliac crest. It can refer to hip, outer thigh and buttock pain.
CONCENTRIC FUNCTION
The concentric function of the Gluteus Minimus muscle involves contracting the muscle fibres, resulting in hip abduction and internal rotation. This action assists in stabilising the hip joint during walking, running and other weight-bearing activities.
ECCENTRIC FUNCTION
The eccentric function of the Gluteus Minimus muscle occurs when the muscle fibres lengthen under tension. It is essential during controlled hip adduction and external rotation movements.
ISOMETRIC FUNCTION
The isometric function of the Gluteus Minimus muscle involves contracting and generating tension without changing its length. This function helps maintain stability and control during single-leg stance and weight-bearing activities.
RELATED MUSCLE SCIENTIFIC NAMES
- Gluteus medius: Assists in hip abduction and medial rotation, functioning alongside the Gluteus Minimus.
- Gluteus maximus: The most significant gluteal muscle, responsible for hip extension, lateral rotation and abduction.
- Tensor fasciae latae: Assists in hip abduction and stabilising the knee.
- Piriformis: Involved in lateral rotation of the hip and stabilisation of the hip joint.
ANTAGONIST MUSCLES
- Adductor group (adductor longus, adductor magnus, adductor brevis): These muscles work to adduct the hip, opposing the abduction action of the Gluteus Minimus.
- Gracilis: Aids in hip adduction and knee flexion, working against the Gluteus Minimus during hip abduction.
COMMON INJURIES
- Gluteal tendinopathy: Inflammation or degeneration of the tendons surrounding the Gluteus Minimus muscle, causing pain and weakness.
- Hip bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) between the Gluteus Minimus and the greater trochanter leads to hip pain.
- Hip impingement: Abnormal contact between the femur and the acetabulum (hip socket), leading to pain and restricted hip movement.
EXERCISES
- Clamshells: Lie on your side with knees bent, then lift the top knee while keeping feet together to target the Gluteus Minimus.
- Side-lying leg lifts: Lie on your side and lift the top leg to strengthen the Gluteus Minimus.
- Hip abduction machine exercises: Use a machine to perform hip abductions, focusing on the Gluteus Minimus.
- Lateral band walks: Place a resistance band around your legs and step sideways to engage the Gluteus Minimus.
- Single-leg balance exercises: Stand on one leg to improve stability and strengthen the Gluteus Minimus.
STRETCHES
- Figure 4 stretch: Lie on your back, cross one ankle over the opposite knee and pull the leg towards your chest.
- Seated piriformis stretch: Sit and cross one leg over the other, pulling the knee towards the opposite shoulder.
- Standing glute stretch: Cross one leg over the other and bend forward to stretch the Gluteus Minimus.
- Hip internal rotation stretch: Sit with legs bent and gently press the knees inward to stretch the hip rotators.
- Lunge with lateral lean: Perform a forward lunge and lean towards the side of the back leg to stretch the Gluteus Minimus and hip flexors.