“Side-atica”…on often mis-diagnosed symptom of pain

A very common condition making its way into my office is one where the patient, often a runner, experiences pain in one, or more of the following places: Lateral hip, lateral knee, lateral ankle posterior to the lateral malleolus.  Often diagnosed a “sciatica” due to its position “down” the leg, the description of symptoms will differ greatly and will not describe a radicular problem.  The pain is often described as a “dull” and poorly defined “ache.”  This description as most of you will know is commonly used to describe a referral pain of myofascial origin.  The origin of the dreaded “side-atica” …Gluteus Minimus.

Often stemming from a weakness or lack of lateral pelvic stability, gluteus minimus trigger points/myofasciopathy is a common condition that is far too often poorly diagnosed…if ever!!

This post links to an article of one of my head Functional Anatomic Palpation Systems (F.A.P.) instructors Dr. Ian MacIntyre who describes several cases of this condition.  Also discussed is the process of diagnosis, and treatment.

Gluteus Minimus Referal Pattern: An all too often misdiagnosed cause of lateral leg pain in runners.  A Case Series.

case courtesy of  SPC – Sports Performance Centres