Full-Thickness Gluteus Medius Tears With or Without Concomitant Hip Arthroscopy: Minimum 2-Year Outcomes Using an Open Approach and Contemporary Tendon Repair Techniques

Abstract

Background: Gluteus medius (GM) tears are a well-established source of pain and disability. An open approach has been recognized with complete full-thickness and large GM tears, yet the current literature provides few reports on outcomes for this specific situation. Purpose: To report and analyze minimum 2-year patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from patients who underwent open GM repair in the setting of a full-thickness tear with or without concomitant hip arthroscopy through use of contemporary tendon repair techniques. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Prospectively collected data were retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent hip preservation surgery and total hip arthroplasty (THA) between April 2008 and May 2017. Patients were included in this study if they underwent open repair of GM full-thickness tears. The exclusion criteria were incomplete follow-up, workers’ compensation status, repair regarding size and pattern of the GM, open repair of partial GM tear, open repair with allograft or autograft augmentation, and/or additional gluteus maximus transfer. Pre- and postoperative PROs for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain and satisfaction were recorded. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: A total of 36 patients were included, of whom 12 received concomitant hip arthroscopy for intra-articular procedures. The mean ± SD age, body mass index, and follow-up time were 65.18 ± 12.69 years, 28.97 ± 4.95 kg/m2, and 40.8 ± 26.19 months, respectively. At minimum 2-year follow-up, the following outcome measures improved significantly: mHHS (from 54.72 ± 15.89 to 73.12 ± 19.47; P < .0001), NAHS (from 56.05 ± 12.47 to 75.22 ± 19.15; P < .0001); HOS-SSS (from 20.30 ± 20.21 to 44.23 ± 35.85; P < .0001), and VAS (from 4.95 ± 2.70 to 2.67 ± 2.81; P < .0001). There was 1 (2.8%) conversion to THA at 48 months after the index procedure. Conclusion: Patients who underwent open repairs in the setting of full-thickness GM tears via contemporary tendon repair techniques, with or without concomitant hip arthroscopy, achieved favorable results in several PRO scores at minimum 2-year follow-up.