MRI diagnosis of contracture of the gluteus maximus muscle.

Abstract

The objective of our study was to describe MRI features of contracture of the gluteus maximus muscle after providing a retrospective review of the MRI studies of 21 patients. Gluteal contracture manifests characteristic features on MRI, including an intramuscular fibrotic cord extending to the thickened distal tendon with atrophy of the gluteus maximus muscle and posteromedial displacement of the iliotibial tract. In advanced cases, medial retraction of the muscle and its tendon results in a depressed groove at the muscle-tendon junction and external rotation of the proximal femur. Clinical correlation and meticulous physical examination may confirm the MR diagnosis.