Gluteus Medius Repair

What is Gluteus Medius Repair?

The Gluteus Medius is the most important muscle of the hip joint. Its main function is to hold the pelvis level with walking. Core strength decreases with age, and it becomes harder to walk longer distances and climb stairs. Over time, some people develop a limp. When this occurs, the pelvis tilts, the IT band rubs against the outer aspect of the femur and bursal tissue between the two becomes inflamed. This is often when patients will feel pain on the side of their hip and have trouble sleeping on their side. Physicians often treat this condition with a steroid injection and Physical Therapy. While some improve, some do not, and over time this condition worsens, especially if patients have had multiple steroid injections. With time, the Gluteus Medius tendon tears. When this occurs, the limp becomes more dramatic and the pain more severe. With functional impairment worsening, most patients now consider getting surgical repair. Repairing the torn Gluteus Medius Tendon can significantly improve pain and restore strength and stability to the hip. The recovery requires patience and dedication to Physical Therapy. Usually once patients seek surgical treatment they have significantly atrophied and developed compensations that take both time and effort to correct. The goal of rehabilitation is to re-establish a level pelvis with walking, eliminate the limp and improve endurance and strength of the Gluteus Medius to get patients back to the activities that they enjoy.

I perform 100% of your surgery and do not train fellows or residents. I take the responsibility you have entrusted me with very seriously and put everything that I have into your operation.

Download Patient's Guide to Gluteus Medius Repair Presentation

General Post-Op Instructions

Rehabilitation following surgery, in many instances, is as important as the surgery itself. It requires a commitment from the patient to make it a part of their daily routine. I believe that physical therapists and athletic trainers have an integral role in guiding and assisting patients through this process. I will work with both you and your therapist to ensure that your rehabilitation is appropriate and that you are progressing and improving, as you should.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation is always tailored to the individual patient’s goals and is affected by the type of surgery that was performed and intra-operative findings. The total duration for therapy and progression to return to full activity is always individualized. Please see these links for more information on therapy guidelines for specific surgeries

Post-Op Instructions

More Post-op instructions

Gluteus Medius Repair Protocol

Discharge Instructions for Gluteus Medius Repair

“Meeting Dr. White was life-changing. If I could tell anyone suffering from a labral tear one thing, it would be DON'T have surgery ANYWHERE else. I only wish I would've found him *before* I had 2 failed surgeries elsewhere. The procedure he does is above and beyond any other solution available. Massive bonus points: he's one of those (very) rare providers who has a genuine interest in and care for his patients personally- to resolve every aspect of the problem in order that we can return to a fully active life doing the things we enjoy doing with the people we love.”