Results following Repair of Gluteus Medius Defects following Total Hip Arthroplasty

13 patients with tears in the gluteus medius tendon following total hip arthroplasty were studied. The diagnosis of a gluteal tear was made on the basis of clinical signs and a positive arthrogram of the hip in all cases. 11 patients underwent gluteus medius repair and two patients declined surgery. 10 patients attended a review clinic (eight gluteal repair patients and two conservatively managed patients) and three were reviewed by telephone and medical notes. The mean follow up was 61 months (range 12–116 months). The mean age at follow up was 71.42 years (69–79 years) and the male to female ratio was 5:8. The mean duration of symptoms prior to repair was 16 months. An anterolateral transgluteal approach had been used for primary surgery in nine cases and in four cases the original surgical approach was unknown.

The mean Harris Hip score prior to repair was 77.4 (range 55–87), which improved to a mean post operative Harris hip score of 86.97 (range 79–96) following repair. The Oxford hip score prior to repair was 20 (range 16–25) which improved to a mean of 14.2 after repair (range 4–29). 9 out of 11 patients who had the repair were satisfied and would recommend the procedure. We believe an accurate and timely diagnosis together with repair can reduce the morbidity associated with this post-operative complication following THA.