DEGENERATIVE HIP JOINT PATHOLOGY AND THE SIZE OF THE GLUTEUS MAXIMUS

The association between degenerative hip joint pathology and size of the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and piriformis muscles.

Therapeutic exercise has been cited as an important approach used in management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip (Hochberg et al., 1995; Altman et al., 2000; Smidt et al., 2005; National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, 2008; Zhang et al., 2008). There is however, a distinct scarcity of literature investigating the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise of the hip. Programmes have often been quite generalised with small to moderate short term effects and poorer long term effects (van Baar et al., 2001; Tak et al., 2005). Outcomes may be improved through the development of more specific programmes based on a greater understanding of muscle function and dysfunction around the hip joint. One of the most consistent findings in subjects with hip dysfunction is an inability to maintain adequate lateral control of the hip and pelvis in single leg stance (Hardcastle and Nade, 1985).