Gluteus maximus tendon transfer as a salvage option for painful chronic hip abductor insufficiency: clinical and MRI results with a minimum follow-up of 24 months.

In the setting of painful chronic hip abductor insufficiency refractory to conservative treatment with advanced muscle degeneration without the possibility of a direct reconstruction the gluteus maximus tendon transfer significantly decreased pain. The effect on hip abductor strength and patient-reported functional outcome scores is limited. Despite the modest results it remains our preferred salvage treatment option for lack of better alternatives. Larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings.