Differences in Clinical Presentations and Surgical Outcomes of Gluteus Medius Tears Between Men and Women

Abstract

Background: Gluteus medius (GM) tears often occur in women aged >50 years. There is a paucity of literature comparing sex-based differences in those undergoing GM repair. Purpose: To report differences between women and men in clinical presentations and patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores at a minimum 2-year follow-up after undergoing GM repair. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. All included patients had postoperative scores for the following PROs: modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score–Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and International Hip Outcome Tool–12. Men were propensity score matched 1:3 to women according to concomitant arthroscopic procedures and follow-up time. Clinical effectiveness was determined through a uniquely calculated minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the mHHS and NAHS specific to this study population. Results: Thirteen men were successfully propensity score matched to 39 women. Women and men were 55.87 ± 11.0 and 62.38 ± 11.63 years old (mean ± SD), respectively (P =.02). Men were at increased risk for associated lumbar pathology as compared with women (relative risk, 3.32; P =.02). Women showed significant improvement from preoperative to minimum 2-year follow-up for the mHHS (59.32 ± 15.36 to 83.81 ± 16.82; P