Hip Abductor Function 1 Year After Open Surgical Reconstruction of the Gluteal Tendon Insertion

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in maximal isometric hip abduction strength from before to 1 year after surgery, and compare to healthy individuals. Additionally, we examined the relationship between maximal isometric hip abduction strength at the 1-year follow-up and 2 factors: the degree of gluteal tendon rupture and pelvic stability. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: The study included 36 women (mean age ± standard deviation: 55 ± 10 years) who met the following inclusion criteria: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed hip abductor tendon tears, open surgical repair, and maximal hip abduction strength measured with a handheld dynamometer. Pelvic stability was evaluated using the Trendelenburg test. Twenty-four age-matched women without lateral hip pain underwent the same assessments. RESULTS: At the 1-year follow-up, patients showed improved maximal hip abduction strength and hip abduction limb symmetry index. Specifically, 61% of patients reached the 95% reference interval for healthy controls in maximal hip abduction strength, and 69% achieved this for hip abduction limb symmetry. Healthy reference levels of maximal hip abduction strength were reached by 46% full thickness vs 73% partial ruptures. Patients with a positive Trendelenburg test decreased from 86% before surgery to 39% at 1-year follow-up. Patients with a positive Trendelenburg test at 1-year follow-up had significantly lower maximal hip abduction strength ( P = .021). CONCLUSION: At 1-year follow-up, more than 60% of patients undergoing open surgical hip abductor tendon repair had improved hip abduction function to a level reaching healthy persons. JOSPT Open 2025;3(3):302-309. Epub 24 April 2025. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0139