Gluteus Maximus and Tensor Fascia Lata Tendon Transfers Without Bony Fixation: Operative Technique

Hip abductor insufficiency due to an irreparable or severely atrophied gluteal cuff is a potentially debilitating cause of lateral hip pain. Gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata tendon transfers have been utilized to relieve lateral hip pain and improve abductor strength. Classical surgical techniques relying on bony fixation have shown promising results for patients, but this approach is problematic in the setting of poor bone quality. This Technical Note describes our surgical approach for performing these tendon transfers with fixation to the proximal vastus lateralis fascia, a reliable method regardless of bone quality.