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Arthroscopic hip abductor surgery
Have been diagnosed with partial to full tear of the hip abductor muscle. Have had two injections that have helped for a few weeks but doctor is suggesting a repair of the torn tendon. Wondering if anyone has had this surgery by the arthroscopic method as opposed to being cut and what has the recovery been like. Also, what is the overall outcome post op of this repair? Thank you!
Dstanton
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@dstanton Good morning, and welcome to Mayo Connect. Isn't it amazing what surgeries can now be performed arthroscopically? Recovery time can be shortened when it is possible to make a couple of small incisions compared to full length cutting through skin and muscle tissue. That said, sometimes it is not the optimum procedure because the surgeon's view of the area to be repaired is limited to what the camera can see. I'm not a doctor, but I have had several ortho surgeries, and only once was the doctor able to do it arthroscopically - to replace a tendon in my knee, where he could see the problem precisely via MRI.
The hip abductor repair is one of those where the surgeon must make a decision - if the exact location & extent of a tear is known, the scope works. If the damage is dispersed, or images don't show the exact location(s) clearly, open surgery may be required. Sometimes, arthroscopic surgery may turn into open surgery once the operation has begun.
Which is your doctor suggesting? Has he been able to see the problem clearly on an MRI? Is it just the muscle that is torn, or the tendon too?
Sue
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1 ReactionHi Sue…thanks for the reply. I was seen by a sports med surgeon who reviewed the findings via MRI. I believe I have a two part tear. One partial in glut min and one part to full in the glut med. the group I am currently seeing does not offer arthroscopic surgery. I am currently managing discomfort with anti inflammatory but may consider surgery before it gets really bad. Did therapy to strengthen muscles around it and that helped a little! Not sure if I really need invasive surgery at this time or if it will just get worse if I don’t repair it!
Aah, sports orthos are awesome when it comes to getting back full function for their patients, so they often use well-proven surgical procedures. For example, my ortho only does posterior hip replacement surgeries, because their own (huge) practice keeps statistics that show better results for active people who need the very best & most accurate fit, even though recovery takes longer. So with 2 known tears, the conservative approach would be open surgery so they can see the whole field in case there is more damage.
Like you, I always try the conservative approach first. Glutes sometimes heal over time, so maybe continued therapy is okay - whether there is a risk of more damage would be a question for the doc and a matter of how patient you are. Glute surgery (because they are repairing a large muscle) has a pretty long healing time, so you need to look at what that does in your life as well.
What does the doctor say about your chances of healing without surgery?
Sue
He said the minor tear might heal, but most likely, the almost full tear would not. All good information and I thank you for your time! I’m not looking forward to this surgery and the healing time, but I would like to get back to walking, biking, etc without experiencing the late night throbbing and pain in the aftermath! Always worse at night!!!! Thanks again for your insight!!! Most appreciated!
D
I am new on this subject but I have the same two tears you mentioned in 2022. What was the outcome? I am guessing surgery is the only course? Thank you
I think that must be what I have. Whatever connects from inner middle of my thigh up to hip…more in the front. I have suffered from night time throbbing and spasming for years. I need to get an MRI.
Was the injection to help the tendon heal?
@dstanton I have a full thickness tear of glute minimus tendon repair with a fatty atrophyed minimus muscel. Has anyone had that repaired with a cadaver tendon and Maximus muscle transfer to fix it? How did it turn out?
Had hip problems over 2 years. xrays show nothing. Wait for Medicare so get hip MRI with contrast. Just had last week - showed high-grade partial-thickness tears of the left gluteus medius and minimus tendons at their attachment to the greater trochanter and mild left hip osteoarthritis. Saw UF sports Orthopaedic surgeon who said not bad enough for surgery > waiting on referral to PT and possible injections via ultrasound. Had shots in both hips 6 months ago but all did was flair and make pain worse. Had PT 4 weeks last summer helped hips but tore up back! Avid bowler and quit for 7 months and went back 5 months ago but pain most of time, especially when try sleep on bad side. Not sure what exercises to do won't tear muscle more.
Keep up to date on what you decide.