Gluteus Medius and Minimus Tendon Repairs
Description
A tendon is a part of a muscle that helps to connect the muscle to a bone. For example, in the tendon of the gluteus medius attaches the muscle to its insertion, which is a bony portion of your femur called the greater trochanter.
When an injury occurs in this area, it can happen suddenly from an event like a fall or accident, or it can happen more slowly over time, often from overuse or repeated movements. That can lead to inflammation or tendinitis, which can worsen over time if it’s not addressed or healed properly.
This can lead to tears along the tendon over time, which can range from partial- to full-thickness, meaning the tear may only go part of the way through the tendon (partial-thickness) or the tendon may be torn (full-thickness). Conservative treatments are often recommended first, but depending on how large the tear is, surgery may be recommended.
If the conservative treatments don’t provide improvements in your pain or function, that may be another reason why surgery is discussed with you.
What is Gluteus Medius and Minimus Tendon Repairs?
A gluteal tendon repair is a type of surgery designed to reattach the torn tendon and support it
as it heals. The procedure can be done open or endoscopically, which is a decision your
surgeon will discuss with you.
An orthopedic surgeon may be the person who works with you to decide if surgery is a good
option for your case. They will provide details on the type of approach that they may take, and
they should inform you about details like recovery time, risks, or possible complications that can occur as a result of surgery.
Post-Surgical Recovery Process
The recovery process following a surgical procedure, like a gluteal tendon repair, can vary from person-to-person, and it can be affected by a number of factors.
A surgical procedure can result in pain and you may experience pain following surgery. In many cases, this is to be expected, and your immediate pain should begin to subside in the days and weeks following the surgery. However, it’s important to be communicating with your healthcare team about your pain, as it may need to be evaluated further.
Following surgery, you may be instructed to wear a brace and/or avoid certain movements or activities for a period of time while you start the recovery and rehabilitation process.
Initially, you will likely work with a physical therapist to regain or maintain the motion you have in your hip. Your physical therapist will explain safe positions and movements that you’ll be able to use in your daily routine while you heal.
As you progress, the physical therapist will often begin working with you on building up the
strength of the muscle and helping you make any changes to your movement strategies to avoid continued stress on the healing tendon, which is also designed to help avoid future injuries to the same area.
Your healthcare team will collaborate with you during your recovery process, and you will likely be checking in with the members of your team regularly as you progress. They will continue to monitor you and evaluate how everything is healing, and they will work with you to address any concerns or make any necessary changes to your plan as you move forward
Is Gluteus Medius and Minimus Tendon Repairs Right For you?
Treatment is often centered around reducing pain, increasing motion, strength, and improving your ability to participate in the activities that you enjoy or need to perform on a daily basis, and it is typically recommended that conservative treatment, like physical therapy, be used first before surgery is discussed.
That may not be the case for everyone, which is why it’s important to discuss the treatment
options available to you with healthcare professionals whom you trust – they will be able to
provide you with specific options fitted to your needs and goals.
It’s important to understand some of the treatment options available to you if you are
experiencing hip pain, so that you can make an informed and collaborative decision with your
healthcare team about what is right for you.
