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

@egray8666 I had repairs done years ago. Both came out fine. I had to do PT for awhile. I have no idea why it happened to me.

@hjan who does your prp and shockwave therapy? I’m doing shockwave but have to pay out of pocket. Is your covered by insurance?

I had a high grade tear of gluteus minimus tendon diagnosed almost two yrs ago. Two highly regarded orthopedic surgeons were willing, but not pushing me to have surgery. I was 71 at the time and since tear was a degenerative issue, not from a fall or injury. Ultimately decided to try alternative therapy which included a couple of PRP (platelet rich plasma injections), then started Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy performed by an Orthopedic surgeon. He also recommended dry needling and physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles. The treatment results were amazing. I went from having difficulty walking, sleeping or doing much without significant pain and overall discomfort to being fully functional and nearly pain free.
My Doctor said there were other treatment options if those weren’t successful. I am grateful as surgery was not something I wanted unless it was the only option. I did a lot of research on my own. I too had concerns about the surgery, especially at my age and it being caused by degenerative issues.
I wish you the best.

I just had a gluteal tendon repair of the piraformis, gluteal medium and minimus muscles. on Tuesday, the 11th. Discharged from hospital yesterday. On a walker with
pain but have pain meds. I think it’s a long recovery but I am looking for a good outcome. Tore these tendons back in December of 2025, so have been living with pain since then, but it’s only gotten worse over the last 6 months. Took a long time to find a doctor who would perform the surgery too as I am 73. Good luck to you.

@egray8666 Would you describe your corrective procedure as a gluteus medius/minimus transfer? And was it an MRI who diagnosed pain? Was what you experienced a full thickness tear with or without fatty infiltration or atrophy? Thank you for response.

@ennaoj44 I had surgery on August 11th for a complete tear of the piraformis muscle and gluteus minimums and Maximus muscles. I am a 73 year old woman, who has been a fitness nut since my 30’s. Today is a week since the surgery, and the recovery is long and painful so far On a walker constantly, icing the site, and not spending too much time in bed. I get tired after sitting up at a table. It is discouraging now and I have 5 more weeks of recovery at home, with a full recovery after 6 months. But I just have to be patient. I know know why so many drs I contacted about this surgery would not touch me, as 3 of them said they only do tendon repair surgery on patients under 40, and that it was not a very successful surgery. I hope to prove them all wrong.

Please keep us all informed. There are so many seniors w/ same experience and no one to talk/share w/. Let us follow you thru up coming months. Just an occasional update of progress would be great. There is little follow up information available anywhere to inform and few medical professionals who know anything about tears and possible repairs available. I admire you for going all out. A Trendelenburg gate, a balance issue, and pain are difficult to live w/ daily. I will share w/ you my orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Barnett, Rush Orthopedics, Chicago) has said a repair/transfer will improve gate, but can't promise hip pain will be diminished. And like you, several orthopedic surgeons have advised me against a gluteus medius/minimus transfer so I am sitting on the fence. Please move slowly, go slow and easy on stairs if you can't stay off of them, and be kind to yourself. Our temperament speaks loudly when in pain. Recovery is going to stretch out for months. Keep your walker close by. While you think you can manage without using the walker, walking with the walker takes the weight off of hip/repair and the healing process isn't impinged. I wish you a full recovery. Thank you for sharing.

@ennaoj44 Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I will continue to post about my healing journey. I actually had no choice but to have the surgery because the tears progressed from partial to full complete tears which became debilitating.