Clinical Features That Predict the Need for Operative Intervention in Gluteus Medius Tears
Authors
Chandrasekaran S, Vemula SP, Gui C, Suarez-Ahedo C, Lodhia P, Domb BG.
Purpose
To identify clinical predictors of the need for surgery in patients with gluteus medius tears.
Methods
- Case-control study comparing 24 surgical patients to 12 nonoperative patients matched by age, sex, BMI.
- Clinical evaluation of hip abduction strength, gait, pain, and tenderness after trial of conservative treatment.
Key Findings
- Weaker hip abduction strength and abnormal gait (especially Trendelenburg gait) were strongly associated with surgical intervention.
- Presence of gait deviation increased odds of surgery by 14 times.
Conclusion
Hip abduction weakness and gait abnormalities predict the need for surgery in gluteus medius tears.
What This Means for Patients
If you have lateral hip pain with weakness or gait changes that don’t improve with physical therapy, surgery may be the recommended next step.
DOI: 10.1177/2325967115571079