Gluteal sulcus

The gluteal muscles can be classified into two main groups. The superficial gluteal muscles are responsible for extension and abduction of the hip, and stabilizing and maintaining the balance of the pelvis during the gait cycle. Deep gluteal muscles control external rotation of the extended hip and abduction of the flexed hip.[2]

The superolateral region, which is free of nerves and vessels, is used for intramuscular injections. The Trendelenburg gait, consisting of gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles, is essential to maintaining the balance of the pelvis during the gait cycle. The piriformis syndrome, which is also called deep gluteal syndrome (DGS) or gluteal pain syndrome, is the pain or numbness in the posterior thigh, the buttock and the hip, with radiation or radicular pain in the sciatic nerve distribution.[3] This condition may be caused by trauma, hematoma, excessive sitting, and anatomic variations of the muscle and nerve.[4] Superior gluteal nerve palsy causes injury to the superior gluteal nerve which results in motor loss that manifests as a disabling gluteus medius limp.[5] The most common cause is an iatrogenic injury during hip surgery and intramuscular injection. Lesions of the inferior gluteal nerve occur through iatrogenic injuries like surgery, trauma, hernias, or pelvic tumors. This condition may result in a functional deficiency of the gluteus maximus muscle, leading to difficulties climbing the stairs or standing up from a chair also known as gluteus maximus lurch.[6]