Gluteus Medius Tear

The gluteus medius is a muscle on the outside of the hip, which is important for abduction (lateral movement away from the body). These muscles help one stand up right and walk without a limp.

Gluteus medius tears, also known as the rotator cuff tear of the hip, involve tearing of the gluteus medius muscle from its attachment to the greater trochanter, commonly known as the “lateral hip bone”.

Cause

Gluteus medius tears may cause persistent pain mimicing trochanteric bursitis. They may also cause weakness and limping.

Symptoms

This is unlike pain from the hip joint, which generally occurs in the groin area or front of the hip. Most people with pain on the side of the hip simply have irritation of the trochanteric bursa and iliotibial band, but in severe cases, tendonitis or a tear of the gluteus medius may also be present.

This is unlike pain from the hip joint, which generally occurs in the groin area or front of the hip. Most people with pain on the side of the hip simply have irritation of the trochanteric bursa and iliotibial band, but in severe cases, tendonitis or a tear of the gluteus medius may also be present.

Conditions

  • Arthritis of the Hip
  • Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
  • Bursitis of the Hip
  • Degenerative Joint Disease
  • Femur Shaft Fracture
  • Hip Fracture
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
  • Gluteus Medius Tear
  • Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip
  • Labral Tear of the Hip
  • Loose Bodies of the Hip
  • Muscle Strains of the Thigh
  • Snapping Hip
  • Strains of the Hip
  • Synovitis
  • Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip

Treatments

  • Bone Grafting of the Hip
  • Core Decompression of the Hip
  • Direct Anterior Hip Replacement
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery
  • Hip Arthroscopy
  • Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery
  • Posterior Total Hip Replacement – VERILAST
  • Revision Total Hip Replacement
  • Total Hip Replacement Surgery – VERILAST

Conservative Treatments

The Orthopedic physicians at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic provide conservative treatment options for Hip conditions and injuries.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination & Patient History

During your first visit, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history. During the physical examination, your doctor will check all the structures of your injury, and compare them to your non-injured anatomy.  Most injuries can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination.

Imaging Tests

Imaging Tests Other tests which may help your doctor confirm your diagnosis include:

X-rays. Although they will not show any injury, x-rays can show whether the injury is associated with a broken bone.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. If your injury requires an MRI, this study is utilized to create a better image of soft tissues injuries. However, an MRI may not be required for your particular injury circumstance and will be ordered based on a thorough examination by your Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic Orthopedic physician.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical

When physical therapy and injections in the trochanteric bursa do not provide lasting relief, the diagnosis of gluteus medius tear should be suspected.

Surgical

In many cases, a torn gluteus medius can be repaired arthroscopically by sewing the torn part of the gluteus medius tendon back to the bone using tiny suture-anchors.

This procedure has a high success rate in treating pain, and may restore strength to the gluteus medius muscle.

If the tear is too large, an open gluteus medius repair may be undertaken. Similar anchors are used to stabilize the repair or the tendon to the bone. In rare cases where the gluteus medius is atrophied, the gluteus maximus may be transfered restoring strength and function to the hip abductors.

Conservative Treatment Options

  • Non-Operative Hip Injury Treatments

Dr. Robert Detch ~ Orthopedic Surgeon

““I am dedicated to improving the lives of my patients and their families. With every orthopedic consult comes the opportunity to restore the important activities in the lives of my patients. Restoring a patient’s musculoskeletal function has such a powerful and dramatic affect on their lives. What I find especially rewarding are the most challenging cases, and especially when patients feel their lives will never be the same and through surgical care, I can give them the life that they want back to them again. As an extension of my service in the US Navy, I am additionally fortunate to have the opportunity to train Orthopaedic Residents in the Operating Room and treat injured and wounded veterans at our local Bay Area ~ VA Palo Alto and VA San Francisco Medical Centers. Remaining active in the restoring of daily activities in the lives of our wounded service members is one of the core focuses of my practice.”

Dr. Robert Detch is a board-certified, orthopedic surgeon specializing in Innovative Treatments for Knee & Hip Replacement procedures.

Treatment Highlights

VERILAST Hip Replacement Technology

Innovative Implant Design

Smith Nephew VERILAST hip replacement implant.

It’s important to remember that not every hip implant is the same. The Smith Nephew VERILAST Hip Technology is the one technology that directly addresses two of the most commonly cited concerns associated with hip replacement implants:

  • Implant Wear

  • Implant Fracture

Learn More

Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic

The Orthopaedic physicians at Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic provide comprehensive services to all members of the family.
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Disclaimer

The information found on this site is for general orthopedic purposes only. In a medical emergency please dial 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.