Myofascial pain syndrome of gluteus minimus mimicking lumbar radiculitis: A case report

Park, Joong Ho; Shim, Kwang Suk; Shin, Young Min; Lee, Chiu; Lee, Sang Gon; Kim, Eun Ju

doi:2015.10.1.16

Anesth Pain Med > Volume 10(1); 2015 > Article

Case Report

Spinal Pain

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2015;10(1):16-20.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17085/apm.2015.10.1.16 Published online January 31, 2015.

Myofascial pain syndrome of gluteus minimus mimicking lumbar radiculitis: A case report

Joong Ho Park, Kwang Suk Shim, Young Min Shin, Chiu Lee, Sang Gon Lee, Eun Ju Kim

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea. allforone97@naver.com

Received: 6 October 2014 • Revised: 10 October 2014 • Accepted: 18 October 2014

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) can be characterized by pain caused by trigger points (TrPs) and fascial constrictions. Patients with MPS of the gluteus minimus muscles often complain of symptoms such as hip pain, especially when standing up after sitting or lying on the affected side, limping, and pain radiating down to the lower extremities. A 24-year-old female patient presenting with motor and sensory impairments of both lower extremities was referred to our pain clinic after initially being diagnosed with lumbar radiculitis. Under the impression of MPS of the gluteus minimus muscles following through evaluation and physical examination of the patient, we performed trigger point injections under ultrasonography guidance on the myofascial TrPs. Dramatic improvement of the patient's symptoms was observed following this treatment, and she was discharged without any further remaining symptoms.

Key Words: Myofascial pain syndromes, Radiculitis, Trigger points, Ultrasonography