title: Gluteus medius strengthening and the use of the Donatelli Drop Leg Test in the athlete.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and strengthen the posterior segment of the gluteus medius.
  
  
  METHODS
  A technical description of a novel examination and rehabilitation protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  The gluteus medius, primarily a hip abductor, serves several important functions in the athlete. Weakness of the gluteus medius has been linked to injuries in the shoulder and iliotibial band, as well as ankle instability. Though previously treated as a homogenous muscle, recent studies of the gluteus medius show three segments with distinct function and activation - the anterior, middle, and posterior. Current rehabilitation protocol focuses primarily on the anterior and middle segments, neglecting the posterior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose a three-stage protocol for strengthening and rehabilitation of the injured athlete and the Drop Leg Test, which can be used to identify weakness in the posterior segment of the gluteus medius.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA. Electronic address: ashok.l.gowda@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ashok L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gowda
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Samuel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mease
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Associates, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donatelli
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zelicof
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation
keywords: Athlete; Gluteus medius; Posterior segment; Rehabilitation