Rotator cuff tears of the hip

Pain over the lateral aspect of the hip commonly is attributed to trochante ric bursitis, Typical findings include local tenderness and weakness of hip abduction, When conservative measures fail to relieve symptoms, surgical r elease of the iliotibial band over the greater trochanter has been recommen ded. In the management of seven such patients, an unusual finding was encou ntered: partial tear of the gluteus medius tendon at its attachment to the greater trochanter. Each patient presented with increasing hip pain of dura tion of months to years. There were no diagnostic findings on physical exam ination. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an abnormal signal within the te ndon of gluteus medius and fluid within the trochanteric bursa. The disrupt ed tendons were reattached to bone with heavy nonabsorbable suture, At a me dian followup of 45 months (range, 21-60 months), all patients were free of pain.