Editorial Commentary: Endoscopic and Open Techniques Can Achieve Successful Outcomes With Hip Abductor Tendon Repair but Retracted Tears With High-Grade Fatty Atrophy May Benefit From an Open Approach

Abstract

The gluteus medius and minimus tendon unit are commonly referred to as the “rotator cuff of the hip.” Tears of the gluteus medius and/or minimus can range from interstitial, partial-thickness tears to retracted, full-thickness tears, and may result from trauma but are more commonly associated with chronic degeneration. Patients commonly present with lateral hip pain exacerbated by weight-bearing and sleeping on the affected side. In patients with persistent lateral hip pain, despite nonoperative management, both open and endoscopic gluteal tendon repair techniques have demonstrated excellent short-term and midterm clinical outcomes. However, few studies have investigated the differences in outcomes between these 2 approaches stratified by tear grade and degree of fatty atrophy. Endoscopic techniques are reported to have fewer complications; in contrast, open repairs may be a better treatment option for patients with retracted full-thickness tears because of the ability to efficiently mobilize the tendon and augment with allograft if needed. Further, the presence of high-grade fatty atrophy of the abductor musculature has been shown to predict poor outcomes after primary repair. Gluteus maximus transfer or allograft augmentation has been reserved typically for irreparable abductor tendon tears, but its ability to restore a healthy muscle tendon unit may offer improved outcomes in the setting of tears with severe fatty degeneration.