Radiofrequency Microdebridement as an Adjunct to Arthroscopic Surgical Treatment for Recalcitrant Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Recalcitrant greater trochanteric pain is increasingly recognized as an indication for surgical intervention. The arthroscopic approach has become rapidly more common than the open alternative. Hypothesis: Patients undergoing radiofrequency microdebridement (RFMD) as an adjunct to arthroscopic gluteal bursectomy (AGB) and iliotibial band release (ITBR) will experience better functional improvement than AGB and ITBR alone at 1 year. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 33 patients with failed nonoperative treatment of gluteal tendinopathy were randomly allocated to undergo AGB/ITBR or AGB/ITBR + RFMD. Full-thickness tears were excluded. The primary outcome measure was the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) at 52 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included the mHHS, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which were evaluated at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks. Statistical significance was defined as P