Pain is usually on the outside of the hip (over the bony bump), often worse when lying on that side, climbing stairs, or standing on one leg. That constant ache that worsens with simple movements or even while you’re resting could be a sign of something deeper.
This hidden cause of pain often makes people wonder what leads the gluteus tendons, those important connectors in the hip, to tear or weaken. Let’s find out.
What Are Gluteus Tendons?
Several hip muscles attach to the greater trochanter, including the gluteus medius and minimus, which help stabilize the pelvis and move the hip. The gluteus medius and minimus tendons attach these muscles to the outer top of the thigh bone. They stabilize the pelvis and move the hip.
The gluteus medius muscle helps lift your leg away from your body (a movement called abduction) and assists in turning your hip inward with its front fibers. Gluteus tendon problems are a common cause of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (outer-hip pain).
Common Causes of Gluteus Tendon Tears
Gluteus tendon tears can develop for several reasons. The most common causes are:
Age-Related Degeneration
As we get older, the gluteal tendons naturally become weaker and lose some of their strength. This weakness happens due to reduced blood flow, breakdown of collagen, and repeated small stresses. This gradual wear makes the tendons more likely to tear, even from minor movements or strain.
It’s especially common in middle-aged and older adults and is one of the main reasons for tendon tears without a major injury. Risk rises with age, especially in women after menopause, as tendon quality changes.The loss of elasticity and strength means the tendon can no longer handle normal pressure as effectively as before.
Traumatic Injuries
A sudden or strong impact, such as a fall, accident, or sports injury, can lead to a gluteus medius or minimus tendon tear. Most tears occur when the muscle and tendon are stretched or forced to contract too quickly, causing a partial or full tear.
Athletes, runners, and people who are very physically active face a higher risk of this kind of damage. The risk is high because of the stress placed on their hip muscles.
Chronic Overuse and Repetitive Strain
Repetitive activity, especially with the hip adducted (legs crossed, side-lying, running with crossover), can compress the tendon under the IT band and drive degeneration. This ongoing strain may cause tendinopathy, where the tendon becomes irritated, develops small tears, and weakens.
If the overuse continues without enough recovery, the tendon can eventually tear completely. This happens when the repeated stress exceeds the tendon’s ability to heal itself.
Poor Muscle Strength and Imbalances
Weak gluteal muscles or uneven muscle strength around the hip can increase tension on the tendons. They can cause a Trendelenburg-type pattern, focusing stress where the tendon attaches. When the hip muscles don’t work properly to support or stabilize the joint, the tendons take excessive pressure, causing strains or an injury.
Muscle imbalances can also change the way the body moves, putting extra pressure on certain areas of the tendon and raising the risk of tears.
Surgical Injury
In some cases, the gluteus tendons can be damaged during hip surgeries such as total hip replacement. Because these procedures involve working close to the tendons, they can sometimes be stretched, cut, or weakened by surgical tools.
When this happens, it may lead to partial or complete tears that need careful treatment and rehabilitation to restore hip function and reduce pain.
Key Takeaways
Recognizing and treating gluteus tendon tears early is important to stop the problem from getting worse. If you have constant pain or discomfort in your hip or thigh, it’s best to visit an orthopedic specialist.
Consult a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Mufaddal Gombera, MD, for hip or knee injuries. Call us to book an appointment.
