Imaging of Abductor Tears: Stepwise Technique for Accurate Diagnosis
Authors
Hartigan DE, Perets I, Walsh JP, Domb BG
Journal: Arthrosc Tech. 2017 Oct;6(5):e1523–e1527
DOI: 10.1016/j.eats.2017.06.032
PMID: 29354468 | PMCID: PMC5709972
Background
Accurate diagnosis of abductor tendon tears is critical for proper surgical planning and treatment outcomes.
Methods: The authors describe a detailed MRI-based technique using T2 fat-saturated and T1-weighted images to diagnose gluteus medius and minimus tears, as well as signs of chronic deficiency.
Key Findings
The imaging method allows for precise identification of abductor pathology and provides criteria for determining whether open or arthroscopic repair is appropriate.
Conclusions
A systematic MRI approach can reliably detect abductor tears and guide surgical decision-making.
What Does This Mean for Patients
High-quality imaging is essential for diagnosing hip abductor injuries and planning the most effective treatment, whether minimally invasive or open surgery is required.