Papers of the Week

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is the most frequent cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, diagnosis of chronic pain due to MPS is based mostly on demonstration of trigger points and reproduction of pain by maneuvers which place stress upon proximal structures or nerve roots. The lack of a formal, widely accepted, criterion-based diagnostic guideline hampers adequate management of this disorder. The gluteus medius muscle is a primary stabilizer of the pelvis during gait and myofascial disorders result in increased sensitivity, spontaneous pain, and weakness in the leg abduction. Also, MTPs of the gluteus medius muscle are common features of patellofemoral and low back pain. Three trigger points are described for the gluteus medius muscle: anterior, middle and posterior, but anatomical correlation is still lacking.