Hip Pain in Renal Transplant Recipients: Symptomatic Gluteus Minimus and Gluteus Medius Tendon Abnormality as an Alternative MRI Diagnosis to Avascular Necrosis

Abstract

Symptomatic gluteus minimus and medius tendon lesions and abnormalities can occur in renal allograft recipients. The MRI findings of this entity allow an alternative diagnosis in this patient population.

A review of the anatomy of the hip abductor muscles, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fascia lata

“…Understanding “normal” muscle volume is relevant when considering changes that may occur in association with pathology around the hip joint. Atrophy of GMed and GMin has been demonstrated in individuals with conditions such as osteoarthritis and lateral hip pain (Chung et al,1999; Cvitanic et al,2004; Pfirrmann et al,2005; Demant et al,2007; Woodley et al,2008; Grimaldi et al,2009b) and two studies have specifically demonstrated a reduction in the volume of these muscles (Grimaldi et al,2009a, b). Consequently, it seems important to ascertain how changes in gluteal muscle volume affect strength and therefore function.…”

Imaging of the Tendons About the Pelvis

“…Along with trochanteric bursitis, gluteal tendon abnormalities have been identified as one of the primary causes of greater trochanteric pain syndrome [23][24][25][26][27]. Gluteal tendinopathy tends to occur in middle-aged women and elderly women.…”

Development and validation of a VISA tendinopathy questionnaire for greater trochanteric pain syndrome, the VISA-G

“…[4] GTPS has a reported incidence of 1.8 patients per 1000 per year in primary care. [5] Prevalence rates of 23.5% in women at risk of knee osteoarthritis [6] and 54% in recipients of renal transplants [7] have been reported. These statistics likely underestimate the prevalence of GTPS as misdiagnosis of GTPS is common.…”