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Has anyone had gluteus medius/minimus tendon repair with good outcome?

Posted by skohl @skohl, May 11 12:47am

I have a high grade tear of gluteus minimus and smaller tear of gluteus medius. I am considering surgery but have seen some very discouraging posts for issues after surgery. I've tried PT, ice, modified physical exercise. Still aches while sleeping at night even when sleeping on "good" side with a pillow between my legs. I'm concerned surgery could have a worse outcome. If you have had a good outcome please describe your experience. Thanks in advance.

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trich1 | @trich1 | Jun 30 11:07pm
In reply to @columbia86 "@skohl I am a woman and I have been told that being a woman, active and..." + (show)
Profile picture for columbia86 @columbia86

@skohl I am a woman and I have been told that being a woman, active and senior citizen makes one more likely to have such a tear. After the six weeks of no weight on my foot was past I completed a block of PT which was very helpful. I began talking walks each day and then lengthened the distance. It was probably 3 months before I began to feel I could be active again, but I did not return to playing pickleball which I had done frequently before the surgery. I went to the University of Missouri Orthopedic Institute in Columbia, the surgeon was Dr. Crist who has a very good reputation.

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@columbia86 I have, in the past 2 years, had on rt hip - partial tear of g. minimus, and full-thickness but small tear of g. medius, while 1 year later on left hip had full tear g. medius tendon tear, partial on g min, and severe tendonopathy all around the joint. After an endless amount of research, I find that this is super common in post menopausal women, my doc (ortho) says 90% of what he sees is women. I'm in healthcare but never put together the relationship between no estrogen and then having tendons tear. Estrogen helps build/maintain muscles/tendons. Now I am hot! I have been on hormone therapy but in those last 2 years it didn't seem to help sweats and bladder. And now this. I have had a full work up by a
Wellness specialist and I'm getting a special treatment made for me. I haven't had relief through PT and I need my life back. I'm nursing my tendon surgery from last week and I'm miserable.

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trich1 | @trich1 | Jun 30 11:09pm
In reply to @skohl "Thank you! I've heard the same thing about being a woman, older, active..." + (show)
Profile picture for skohl @skohl

Thank you! I've heard the same thing about being a woman, older, active...

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@skohl Google menopause and gluteal tendonopathy. It's everywhere! More should be done to increase awareness of this!

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egray8666 | @egray8666 | Jul 2 1:43pm

I have a complete tear of the gluteus minimus and medium tear and am scheduled for the tendon repair surgery on August 11. I’ve had the tear since December and it was a partial tear that has now developed to a complete tear. Had PT for 6 months with no relief. In pain all day now and walking on a cane. I am 72 yrs old and was very active before the tear in December. The ortho surgeon said it’s a 3 week recovery with a total recovery after 6 months. You should see an orthopedic surgeon and get an MRI to confirm the test. Good luck to you.

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grandma71 | @grandma71 | Jul 3 8:34am
In reply to @egray8666 "I have a complete tear of the gluteus minimus and medium tear and am scheduled for..." + (show)
Profile picture for egray8666 @egray8666

I have a complete tear of the gluteus minimus and medium tear and am scheduled for the tendon repair surgery on August 11. I’ve had the tear since December and it was a partial tear that has now developed to a complete tear. Had PT for 6 months with no relief. In pain all day now and walking on a cane. I am 72 yrs old and was very active before the tear in December. The ortho surgeon said it’s a 3 week recovery with a total recovery after 6 months. You should see an orthopedic surgeon and get an MRI to confirm the test. Good luck to you.

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Please let me know how it went for you I know what you’re dealing with and I hope this works for you. Unbelievable how this can side line a person’s life.

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sugarbaker | @sugarbaker | Aug 9 7:34pm
In reply to @gussie "My tear of the left gluteus medius tendon and minimus tendon was just diagnosed last week..." + (show)
Profile picture for gussie @gussie

My tear of the left gluteus medius tendon and minimus tendon was just diagnosed last week through the MRI. My pain is very specific. It doesn't hurt sitting or lying on my back. It hurts from a sitting position to a standing one and then painful on walking. I have an appointment for a guided injection next week and to start PT. I didn't even know there was surgery. Mine isn't from a particular injury it just happened. This started in February. At 84 my exercise is walking outside a mile or two and now I can't do that at all. Stuck in the house.

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@gussie let us know how you are doing. did you get injections and PT?

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sugarbaker | @sugarbaker | Aug 9 7:37pm
In reply to @egray8666 "I have a complete tear of the gluteus minimus and medium tear and am scheduled for..." + (show)
Profile picture for egray8666 @egray8666

I have a complete tear of the gluteus minimus and medium tear and am scheduled for the tendon repair surgery on August 11. I’ve had the tear since December and it was a partial tear that has now developed to a complete tear. Had PT for 6 months with no relief. In pain all day now and walking on a cane. I am 72 yrs old and was very active before the tear in December. The ortho surgeon said it’s a 3 week recovery with a total recovery after 6 months. You should see an orthopedic surgeon and get an MRI to confirm the test. Good luck to you.

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@egray8666 which Mayo are you having surgery at? I was just dx with med tear, but minimal.

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egray8666 | @egray8666 | Aug 9 8:17pm
In reply to @sugarbaker "@egray8666 which Mayo are you having surgery at? I was just dx with med tear, but..." + (show)
Profile picture for sugarbaker @sugarbaker

@egray8666 which Mayo are you having surgery at? I was just dx with med tear, but minimal.

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I am having at Ochsner in New Orleans on Tuesday, August 11. It is the gluteal tendon repair and I’m getting really anxious about it, hoping it’s successful. Tore the tendon last December so I’ve been in pain since. Have been doctor shopping for a few months now and think I finally found the guy

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gussie | @gussie | Aug 10 12:38am

I received the injection in May and received 5 appointments for PT. The injection did nothing at all and the PT actually made the pain worse. I also have bone on bone in my knee on the same side. I finally went to my pain medicine doctor last week. He looked at my MRI and also where I got my cortisone injection. The first thing he said is they seldom do surgery on a tendon tear and the second thing was the physician that gave me the injection in May did it in the completely wrong place. So I am going back to the pain doc on the 19th and have him shoot me up. He mentioned three injections in three different places and with something else other then cortisone. Stay tuned.

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lafromli | @lafromli | Aug 10 9:17am
In reply to @sstopalian "I don't know if it was medium, Was not complete. It was serious enough for two..." + (show)
Profile picture for sstopalian @sstopalian

I don't know if it was medium, Was not complete. It was serious enough for two good docs to recommend PRP which is not covered by insurance. Assume you have had an MRI. If you live in NYC, go to HSS and have consultation with Johnathan Kirschner. MD. HSS is one of the best ortho hospitals that does research, as does JK, on regenerative medicine. Where do you live?

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@sstopalian
I'm so sorry for what you've gone through. I have to jump in to make a comment regarding HSS. I'm a New Yorker and here they don't accept everyone. Even though you can access them online, choose a doctor put in all your history information as well as choose a date and a time, it's not a guarantee that they're going to see you. You will get a phone call or an email letting you know whether or not they're interested in your case. They don't make this known on their website and they really should. It would save people a lot of frustration and time considering. Sometimes you don't get that email or phone call until a few days before you think you're going. Good luck!

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heather231 | @heather231 | Aug 11 3:55am

Hello
Im about to have surgery to repair my tendon in early September 2026.
I'll keep you posted as it's been a very long painful journey for me. My tear started back in 2019 at 4mm. I did all treatments. 2022 tear was 23mm. By 2024 full thickness.

I am so looking forward to this surgery as nothing has helped me

Cheers H

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