Traumatic isolated bilateral gluteus minimus injuries misdiagnosed as lumbar radiculopathy: A case report

BACKGROUND The tear of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons can cause chronic buttock pain, especially in middle-aged individuals; these tears occur mostly in association with degenerative changes in the muscles and tendons. Chronic injuries are more common than acute injuries, and concurrent injuries to the gluteus medius and minimus tendons without chronic pain are rare, especially isolated injuries to both sides of the gluteus minimus; such a case has not yet been reported. CASE SUMMARY The authors present a case of bilateral acute traumatic injuries to the gluteus minimus during buttock strengthening exercises in a 75-year-old male patient. The patient completely returned to his pre-injury lifestyle after 8 weeks of injury, with no limitations, but the diagnosis was initially delayed due to misdiagnosis as lumbar radiculopathy, resulting in unnecessary socio-economic burden on the patient. CONCLUSION When treating patients who complain of hip pain, it is important to consider various causes to make a correct diagnosis.