Has anyone had gluteus medius/minimus tendon repair with good outcome?
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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@ennaoj44 I was treated by a rheumatologist for suspected inflammatory arthritis post-Covid diagnosis for 2 years: various meds, many steroids, one shot, turmeric, pineapple extracts, etc. After a particularly painful bout in my left hip I went to the ER where it took IV morphine to relieve me, then big steroids. A subsequent MRI revealed fraying min and med tendons - wear and tear. The Ortho Doc was very solemn in reading and interpreting the MRI, and warned against injections. He stated he did not do the surgery and didn't know anyone professionally who would as good outcomes are so rare. I'm 75 and though I still have some pain, at least I know the source and there is some comfort in that. I, too, have a cane which I use intermittently and I've given up all the OTC pills and elixirs. Doc gave me a steroid pac for emergency use and that also gives some comfort. I was accustomed to walking: 2-3 miles a day...now 1 to 1.5 is a good day. It's a blessing to finally know the source of my issues, despite the fact that there's not much to be done about it all in my case.
@pamglutemedius Good to have you back in on this blog. I kept looking for updates from you because you and I have same experience. So, you are planning surgery in 2027? Are your scheduling a gl transfer? Please keep us all updated. In an earlier reply I suggested AARP ought to publish an article on gl tears for its magazine. There are hundreds if not thousands of seniors living w/ gl tears with no information or are misdiagnosed and treated for likely bursitis or whatever.... If Dr. Ranawat is your surgeon of choice, do you know how many successful surgeries he has completed for what you are planning? Joanne
@pamglutemedius You're in Cleveland and I guess the first place I would have gone would be the Cleveland Clinic. I can't believe how much you've gone through. How on earth did you find that Dr. Ranawat was the one. I commend you. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so I either have UCSF or Stanford. I have been going to the orthopedic practice at California Pacific Medical Center for years. Had my hip replacement there. I also thought it was bursitis since I have it on the other side from my hip replacement. Right now if I don't move it doesn't hurt it's when I get up from a sitting position and try to walk is when it's painful. I also have bone on bone on the same leg. I fell off a treadmill over 30 years ago and I have been living with that also. It didn't bother me too much until I went for PT for the tendon problem and the PT gave me an exercise that really hurt my knee so now I have to deal with that.
@ennaoj44 hi Joanne!
I actually found HSS through other people in this chat group. And then I drilled down to see which dr did open procedures for glute tears and Glute Max procedures.. I believe The Glute Max surgery was developed in Switzerland at the Mueller Institute and Dr. Anil Ranawat did a fellowship there. There are very few doctors that do the surgery, do it well, and HSS is the best orthopedic & research facility in the USA.
So I did not ask him how many of these surgeries he has done because I know he's done a lot of them- more than most people.
One person in the chat went to a doctor AJ LALL in PARAMUS for either that or a similar surgery as outpatient.
I'm not a candidate for outpatient surgery, Plus Dr. Ranawat said this surgery has to be done at the main hospital in NYC and I would stay over at least one night.
I still have questions and will email his PA named "Keegan" (a handsome lad from Buffalo NY.)
Here's a video. https://www.hss.edu/profiles/doctors/anil-ranawat
There are other videos online & he just posted about a knee replacement
Since he told me that I will always have to walk with a cane and probably a walker and it's a long recovery I'm just going live my life & to do some traveling - visit some friends & my son overseas.
Snow starts here in Nov- Dec & we just get buried. 🥶
So the wisdom of having surgery in nyc anytime between Nov-march &
Then coming home & trying to drive & navigate snowy icy parking lots to get into a building for PT just doesn't make any sense.
If he could somehow order Home PT, I could do it- otherwise I have to wait for better weather.
So obviously, there's still questions to ask & at least a telehealth apt.
I need to get my ducks & life in a row before the surgery since I live alone.
Let me know how you're doing so good to hear from you.
I saw some very negative reviews about him, but they were all more than two years old and it was mostly about his receptionistand communication style. He's got new people.. I was very impressed with all my communication since last spring and my OV
@ennaoj44 hi joanne. I'm 72 and was a professional Alpine ski coach - superactive until my injuries eight years ago. Yeah, two doctors told me if I don't do the Glute Max transfer that I'll end up in a wheelchair because if wear & tear on the rest of my body compensating.. dr Anil Ranawat said he can get rid of my pain but may not be able to improve gaite, but could improve stability. He said he my prognosis was "guarded"
I would love to know what area of the country you live in and what doctors she saw since you had four opinions.
I did see a different dr @ HSS initially, who was not a Surgeon & she said, " Drs hate to treat lateral hip pain" when I ask why she said there's "no good outcomes"
She gave me recommendations for PRP and shockwave therapy none of which is covered by insurance.
Dr Ranawat said for me, it wouldn't help it would be a waste of money.
Asked me if I'd had any injections and I said yes 4.
He asked if they were hip joint injections, or bursa injections. I was never told so. I didn't know.
He asked me if they were guided with ultrasound for accuracy. I said Noooo
He said he was not impressed with the level of orthopedic care I received in Ohio. He was VERY blunt about it.
Dr Anil Ranawat said that in shoulder surgery there's a procedure called a reverse shoulder replacement. He said if something like that existed for hips, that's what I'd be getting....but it does Not exist.
He apologized to me for the poor care I've received prior to seeing him. He said it was the worst case he'd seen in 10 years.
The surgeon I saw prior said I'd be 85 to 95% fine, wouldn't need a walker & might not need a cane.
Dr Ranawat said paraphrased- it's a good thing you didn't have surgery then & he was a bad Dr & has been fired.'
I'd love to have the names of the other doctor you saw for opinions. Another opinion is always good👍
@pamglutemedius
FYI. There are several orthopedic surgeons @ HSS last name Ranawat.