Lequesne M et al. - The eight MRI images of tear of the lateral part of the gluteus medius tendon were all confirmed at surgery. Three of five associated tendon tears (gluteus minimus only) were not seen on MRI. Surgical treatment was very effective in all patients but one. Methods
Aims of this study were: (1) To compare MRI and surgical findings in pts with refractory greater trochanter pain syndrome and (2) to assess surgical outcomes
Pts were selected for surgical treatment according to the following criteria:
(1) Tendinopathy confirmed by physical tests
(2) Painful disability for atleast 6 mos despite treatment
(3) On MRI: area of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, in the area of gluteus medius and/or minimus tendon
(4) Absence of marked muscle atrophy or fatty degeneration
Results
8 pts met the criteria for surgery; all women; mean age 71.1 yrs
Mean symptoms duration before surgery: 14.3 mos
Surgery confirmed the presence of a tear in all 8 pts; all tears revealed on MRI
There were 5 false negatives
Bursitis was confirmed in all 8 pts
Steady complete remission of spontaneous and provoked pain was observed in 7 pts and partial remission in one
6 MRIs performed after 20 ± 12 mos showed good reinsertion of the sutured tendon
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