Superior Gluteal Reconstruction Results in Promising Outcomes for Massive Abductor Tendon Tears.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 1-year outcomes of a small patient series following open gluteus medius/minimus repair with human dermal allograft incorporated into the repair construct using a double-row repair.

METHODS

Data from consecutive patients undergoing a superior gluteal reconstruction for massive, irreparable abductor tendon tears with severe tendon loss and atrophy by a single fellowship trained surgeon from January 2018 to May 2019 were collected and analyzed. Baseline demographic data and magnetic resonance imaging were collected preoperatively. Clinical outcomes including Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), HOS-Sports Subscale (HOS-SS), modified Harris hip score (mHHS), international Hip Outcome Score-12 (iHOT-12), visual analog scale (VAS) pain, and VAS satisfaction were recorded at 1-year postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 8 patients underwent open superior gluteal reconstruction for severe hip abductor deficiency. The mean age and body mass index were 62.6 ± 7.3 years and 29.6 ± 5.3 kg/m, respectively. The majority of patients were female (N = 7, 87.5%). Three (37.5%) patients had undergone previous endoscopic gluteus medius repair and presented for revision surgery. All patients had full-thickness tears with gluteus medius and gluteus minimus involvement. Patients were evaluated at an average of 11.5 ± 1.7 months from the initial surgical intervention and reported a mean HOS-ADL of 82.9 ± 24.3, HOS-SS of 73.2 ± 37.3, mHHS of 83.6 ± 17.1, iHOT-12 of 63.9 ± 27.4, VAS Pain of 30.0 ± 23.1, and VAS Satisfaction of 87.1 ± 17.0. There was no evidence of retears in this patient cohort as defined by physical examination findings and/or corroborating magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Superior gluteal reconstruction for massive, irreparable abductor tendon tears with severe tendon loss and atrophy is a technique that demonstrates promising 1-year postoperative outcomes in both primary and revision patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.