Abstract
(1) Background: Degeneration of the hip abductor mechanism, a well-known cause of functional limitation, is difficult to treat and is associated with a reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The gluteus maximus muscle flap is a treatment option to support a severely degenerative modified gluteus medius muscle. Although several reports exist on the clinical outcome, there remains a gap in the literature regarding HRQOL in conjunction with functional results. (2) Methods: The present study consists of 18 patients with a mean age of 64 (53‒79) years, operatively treated with a gluteus maximus flap due to chronic gluteal deficiency. Fifteen (83%) of these patients presented a history of total hip arthroplasty or revision arthroplasty. Pre and postoperative pain, Trendelenburg sign, internal rotation lag sign, trochanteric pain syndrome, the Harris Hip Score (HHS), and abduction strength after Janda (0‒5) were evaluated. Postoperative patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life, according to the Short Form 36 (SF-36), were used as patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs). Postoperative MRI scans were performed in 13 cases (72%). (3) Results: Local pain decreased from NRS 6.1 (0–10) to 4.9 (0–8) and 44% presented with a negative Trendelenburg sign postoperatively. The overall HHS results (p = 0.42) and muscular abduction strength (p = 0.32) increased without significance. The postoperative HRQOL reached 46.8 points (31.3–62.6) for the mental component score and 37.1 points (26.9–54.7) for the physical component score. The physical component results presented a high level of positive correlation with HHS scores postoperatively (R = 0.88, p < 0.001). Moreover, 72% reported that they would undergo the operative treatment again. The MRI overall showed no significant further loss of muscle volume and no further degeneration of muscular tissue. (4) Conclusions: Along with fair functional results, the patients treated with a gluteus maximus flap transfer presented satisfying long-term PROMs. Given this condition, the gluteus maximus muscle flap transfer is a viable option for selected patients with chronic gluteal deficiency.
Highlights
Hip abductor deficiency is difficult to treat and leads to pain, limping, and functional limitations [1,2,3]
(4) Conclusions: Along with fair functional results, the patients treated with a gluteus maximus flap transfer presented satisfying long-term patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs)
The gluteus maximus muscle flap transfer is a viable option for selected patients with chronic gluteal deficiency
Summary
Hip abductor deficiency is difficult to treat and leads to pain, limping, and functional limitations [1,2,3]. Recently promising functional results have been published for the Gmax transfer, as described by Whiteside in the case of chronic and large lesions with fatty degenerations of the Gmed and Gmin muscles [4,10,14]. Based on the individual medical history of patients suffering from abductor deficiency, the published studies present inhomogeneous and small cohorts with limitations regarding the compatibility of patients. The purpose of the present study was to examine the success of the Gmax flap transfer for patients suffering from abductor mechanism deficiency. This study presents one of the largest cohorts of patients treated with a Gmax flap transfer and is the first to consider patients’ postoperative HRQOL
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