Gluteal tendon reconstruction in association with hip arthroplasty

We studied a prospective cohort of patients in whom gluteal tendon reconstruction was undertaken in association with hip arthroplasty. Over the course of 10 years, 24 patients had gluteal tendon reconstruction performed either at the time of hip arthroplasty or post-operatively, using the Ligament Augment and Reconstruction System (LARS), suture anchors, direct suture to bone, or a combination of these techniques. All patients were assessed clinically and by patient-centred outcome measures, including the hip disability and osteoarthritis score (HOOS). The mean post-operative HOOS was significantly better than pre-operative score (p < 0.05). The mean post operative score in the domains of symptoms, pain, activities of daily living (ADL), sports and quality of life (QoL) was 72 (SD 12.8), 73 (SD 15.9), 71 (SD 11.8), 54 (SD 22.6) and 57 (SD 21.76) respectively. There were two failures of gluteal tendon reconstruction which required revision using LARS. One patient died of an unrelated cause. Surgical intervention should be considered in gluteal tendinopathy at the time of hip arthroplasty or when symptoms occur following arthroplasty.