Gluteus Medius & Minimus Repair Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in contact or competitive sports? If so, you may be at risk of tearing your gluteus minimus or gluteus medius tendon in the hip. Injury to these muscles and their tendon attachments can occur as a result of chronic degeneration from overuse in competitive sports and activities. Gluteus tear repair surgeon, Dr. Jervis Yau provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Santa Barbara who have suffered a gluteus tear. Contact Dr. Yau’s team today!
Gluteus Medius & Minimus Repair Overview
The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus serve an important role in stabilizing the hip and pelvis, as well as providing function when patients engage in athletic activities such as running and jumping. A patient may experience injury to one or both of these structures during a fall, sports related injury or from natural wear and tear associated with aging. The most common injury to these muscles is a tear of a tendon from its attachment site on the greater trochanter. The greater trochanter is the bony part of the femur located in the posterolateral hip area. If a gluteal tendon tear is severe and causes significant pain and weakness, surgical repair will be necessary. Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Ventura, California orthopedic hip surgeon, Dr. Jervis Yau is experienced at performing arthroscopic gluteus medius and minimus repair.
A tear to the gluteal tendons can be a debilitating injury since both muscles work in unison to provide stabilization to the hip. An injury to one or both of these muscles or their tendon attachment sites can lead to progressive weakness, pain and loss of function.
Dr. Yau will perform a physical examination and review the radiographic findings to confirm diagnosis. Depending on the severity of injury, Dr. Yau may prescribe either activity modification and physical therapy or surgical repair. The goal of physical therapy is to control pain while strengthening the gluteal muscles.
What is the Treatment for a Gluteus Medius or Gluteus Minimus Tear?
A surgical gluteus medius or minimus repair may be necessary if symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment or if the tear is too severe. Dr. Yau commonly repairs these tendons through an arthroscopic approach using suture anchors that embed into the greater trochanter bone. The tendon is then secured to the bone through these sutures.
During the same procedure, Dr. Yau may remove the trochanteric bursa if it is inflamed and damaged. He may also perform an iliotibial (IT) band release which helps improve visualization of the tendon attachment site, as well as decrease pain associated with trochanteric bursitis.
Recovery and Rehabilitation Following Surgical Gluteus Medius Repair or Gluteus Minimus Treatment
Following a surgical gluteus medius repair or surgical gluteus minimus treatment, patients will be encouraged to avoid full weight bearing for approximately 4-6 weeks as the tendon heals. Dr. Yau will prescribe a physical therapy program aimed at restoring full hip function and strength.
Surgical Gluteus Medius Repair or Gluteus Minimus Treatment Recovery Time
Many patients can expect a full return to normal athletic activities at four to six months after surgery if the rehabilitation guidelines are strictly followed.
For additional resources on surgical gluteus medius repair, or for more information on surgical gluteus minimus treatment, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Jervis Yau, hip surgeon located in the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Ventura, California communities.
Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus Repair FAQ
1. How is a gluteus medius injury treated?
The treatment for a gluteus medius injury will depend on the severity of the injury. In cases of Grade 1 injuries, rest, ice, physical therapy and, when prescribed by a medical professional, anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can help alleviate symptoms. Grade 2 injuries involve a partial tear of the gluteus medius muscle, which can typically utilize a similar treatment plan as Grade 1 tears for a certain period of time. A complete tear of the gluteus medius is classified as a Grade 3 or 4 injury. To return to full function, a surgical gluteus medius repair is typically recommended.
2. How is a gluteus medius tear repaired?
The severity of the gluteus medius tear will determine the right course of treatment. When conservative treatment such as rest, ice, anti-inflammatory drugs do not alleviate symptoms a gluteus medius repair may be recommended.
Depending on the extent of the tear, Dr. Yau repairs gluteus medius tears through an arthroscopic or open approach using suture anchors that embed into the greater trochanter bone. The tendon is then secured to the bone through these sutures. During the procedure, Dr. Yau may remove the trochanteric bursa if it is inflamed and damaged. In some cases, he may also perform an iliotibial (IT) band release which helps improve visualization of the tendon attachment site, as well as decrease pain associated with trochanteric bursitis.
3. How is a gluteus minimus injury repaired?
Depending of the severity of the injury, Dr. Yau may prescribe an activity modification and physical therapy, or a surgical repair. Dr. Yau repairs a gluteus minimus tears through an arthroscopic or open approach that involves suture anchors that embed into the greater trochanter bone.
The tendon is then secured to the bone through these sutures. During the procedure, Dr. Yau may remove the trochanteric bursa if it is inflamed and damaged. In some cases, he may also perform an iliotibial (IT) band release which helps improve visualization of the tendon attachment site, as well as decrease pain associated with trochanteric bursitis.
4. What occurs after a gluteus medius repair?
Following a gluteus medius repair, a strict physical therapy protocol will be prescribed. Physical therapy will focus on gentle range of motion and progressive strengthening exercises, with an emphasis on hip abductor, extensor and internal rotator muscles. Balance exercises will also be used to help with strengthening the muscles.
5. What is the recovery time after a gluteus medius repair?
Following a gluteus medius repair, Dr. Yau’s recovery protocol encourages patients to avoid full weight bearing for 4 to 6 weeks as the gluteus medius tendon heals. A physical therapy program will be prescribed to restore full hip function and strength. For patients that strictly follow the rehabilitation guidelines, most patients can expect to return to normal athletic activities four to six months after surgery.
6. What occurs after a gluteus minimus repair?
Following a gluteus minimmus repair, a strict physical therapy protocol will be prescribed. The rehabilitation protocol will focus on gentle range of motion and progressive strengthening exercises, with an emphasis on hip abductor, extensor and internal rotator muscles. Balance exercises will also be used to help with strengthening the muscles.
7. What is the recovery procedure after a gluteus minimus repair?
Following a gluteus minimus repair, Dr. Yau’s encourages patients to avoid full weight bearing for 4 to 6 weeks as the gluteus medius tendon heals. A strict physical therapy program will be prescribed to restore full function and strength in the hip. For patients that follow the rehabilitation guidelines, most patients can expect to return to normal athletic activities four to six months after surgery.