Gluteus Medius
Gluteus Medius is an important muscle in controlling the level of the hips. Weaknesses in gluteus medius often result in a trendelenburg sign, an abnormal gait cycle where the hip of the swinging leg drops down, rather than raises up. This results in increased degrees of knee flexion in order to clear the ground.
Origin
- Outer surface of the ilium, just below the crest.
Insertion
- Greater trochanter of the femur.
Actions
- Hip abduction.
- Posterior fibres externally rotate the hip.
- Anterior fibres internally rotate the hip.
Innervation
- Superior gluteal nerve.
Daily uses
- Stepping sideways out of the bath.
Example strengthening exercises
- Standing abduction using a resistance band.
- Laying abduction using a resistance band.
Example stretches
- Outer hip stretch.
- Gluteal stretch.
Related injuries
- Myofascial pain in the buttock muscles.
Related muscles
- Gluteus maximus.
- Gluteus minimus.
