The gluteus minimus is the deepest gluteal muscle, lying directly on the hip joint capsule and contributing to glenohumeral joint compression alongside the hip abductor function. Its anterior trochanteric insertion makes it the primary internal rotator among the gluteals. Gluteus minimus tears present on MRI as fluid signal at the anterosuperior trochanteric facet — a common finding in GTPS alongside gluteus medius pathology.
| Origin | Outer ilium between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines (the deepest gluteal muscle) |
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| Insertion | Anterior surface of the greater trochanter — immediately deep to the gluteus medius |
| Nerve Supply | Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1) |
| Blood Supply | Superior gluteal artery |
| Actions | Hip abduction; Hip internal rotation (stronger internal rotation component than the gluteus medius); Anterior greater trochanteric stabilisation |
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Gluteus minimus tendinopathy and full-thickness tears are identified on coronal MRI as signal change and retraction at the anterior greater trochanteric facet. The minimus tears are more often partial than full-thickness and respond to the same conservative measures as gluteus medius GTPS. Full-thickness minimus tears with significant retraction may require surgical repair.
The gluteus minimus is not independently palpable from the gluteus medius due to its deep position — assessed by MRI.
Anterior trochanteric facet tendon tear producing GTPS pain managed with load modification and ultrasound-guided injection.
