November 2025

ORTHOPAEDICS

CASE REPORT: INNOVATIVE BILATERAL HIP ABDUCTOR TENDON REPAIR WITH GLUTEUS MAXIMUS TRANSFER

Featuring: ​​Adam I. Edelstein, MD and ​Vehniah K. Tjong, MD,
A recent case report from Northwestern Medicine Orthopaedics presents one of the first documented instances of bilateral hip abductor tendon repair with gluteus maximus transfer in a patient with native hips. This pioneering approach demonstrates promising outcomes for patients with chronic hip abductor insufficiency and muscle atrophy, particularly when conservative treatments have failed.

Case summary
The patient, a 76-year-old woman with a history of bilateral trochanteric bursitis, osteoporosis, prediabetes and multiple steroid injections, presented with debilitating bilateral hip pain, abductor weakness and a Trendelenburg gait. MRI revealed full-thickness tears of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons on the left, partial tearing on the right and significant muscle atrophy bilaterally.

Given the patient’s debilitating peritrochanteric hip pain, hip abductor weakness, MRI results and history of failed conservative management, the patient met indications for operative repair. She underwent staged bilateral hip abductor tendon repair with gluteus maximus transfer.

Surgical technique highlights:
  • Use of suture anchors to reattach the abductor tendons
  • Transfer of the anterior one-third of the gluteus maximus with attached iliotibial band fascia
  • Restoration of tendon continuity and augmentation of abductor function
  • Postoperative rehabilitation included bracing, gradual weight-bearing, and pain management
Six months post-surgery, the patient reported minimal pain and improved strength, with successful ambulation without assistance. Follow-up assessments indicated significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes, meeting clinically important thresholds.

This case underscores the effectiveness of bilateral hip abductor tendon repair combined with gluteus maximus transfer, offering a promising treatment option for patients with chronic abductor insufficiency.
​Adam I. Edelstein, MD, Clifford C. Raisbeck Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine
Vehniah K. Tjong, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine

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