Objective? To investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unilateral gluteal muscle contracture. Methods Between January 1990 and September 2009, 41 patients with unilateral gluteal muscle contracture were treated and the cl inical data were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 24 were male and 17 were female with an age range from 6 to 29 years (mean, 12 years). Thirty-nine patients had a definite history of repeat intragluteal injection. The locations were the left side in 9 cases and the right side in 32 cases. The main cl inical manifestations included lameness and abnormal gait. The medical examination showed pelvic obl ique and relative inequal ity of lower l imbs with a mean difference of 2.1 cm (range, 1.2-3.8 cm) in the distance form navel to malleolus medials. The X-ray films of pelvis showed outpouching trochanter of femur and pelvic obl ique. The CT scans showed no abnormal finding except pelvic obl ique and gluteal muscle contracture. The arc longitudinal incision was made into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter and then lysis of the gluteal muscles was performed, followed by the skin traction of both legs and rehabil itation exercise. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Forty-one patients were followed up 1-20 years (mean, 5 years), and the signs of gluteal muscle contracture disappeared. After 1 year of operation, 34 patients had equal leg length, 5 patients had mild pelvic obl ique, and 2 patients had obvious pelvic obl ique. According to LIU Guohui et al. evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 33 cases, good in 6 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 95.12% at 1 year after operation. Conclusion Unilateral gluteal muscle contracture leads to pelvic obl ique and inequal ity of lower l imbs, and it can be cured with the surgical release of the gluteal muscle contracture by the arc longitudinal incision into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter, combined with postoperative skin traction and rehabil itation exercises.
Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of day surgery program of surgical treatment of mild to moderate gluteal muscle contracture. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients who received invasive surgery to release gluteal muscle contracture in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between July 2021 and July 2022. Postoperative telephone follow-up was conducted on the 2nd, 3rd, and 30th day after surgery. The basic conditions, surgery duration, intraoperative blood loss, anesthesia duration, pain score 6 h after surgery, hospitalization expenses, postoperative complications and patient satisfaction were observed. Results A total of 44 patients, 17 males and 27 females, aged 18-51 years with a median age of 30.5 years, diagnosed as bilateral mild to moderate gluteal muscle contracture, were included in this study. All patients except one with unilateral surgery were successfully finished the bilateral surgeries and discharged as planned. The mean surgery duration was (71±13) min, intraoperative blood loss was (20±17) mL, anesthesia duration was (118±21) min. All patients complained mild pain or no pain (Numerical Rating Scale score≤3) except one patient received pain rescue (Numerical Rating Scale score=5) 6 h after surgery. The average hospitalization expenses was (10021.55±1142.10) yuan. Three patients complained the poor wound healing. All patients replied a normal life and work with a good satisfaction and without any severe complications by telephone follow up on the 30th day postoperatively. Conclusion Surgical treatment of mild to moderate gluteal muscle contracture is safe, effective and feasible in the day surgery mode.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic outside-in release for gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) in supine position versus lateral decubitus position. Methods The clinical data of 34 GMC patients meeting selection criteria between January 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Arthroscopic contracture band release was performed in the lateral decubitus position (lateral group, n=14) or the supine position (supine group, n=20). No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between groups in baseline data, including gender, age, body mass index, preoperative GMC functional quantitative score, modified Harris hip score (mHHS), visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and hip flexion/adduction range of motion (ROM). The total operation time, release procedure time, non-release procedure time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared. Functional outcomes (GMC functional quantitative score, mHHS score, VAS score, hip flexion/adduction ROM) were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Results All incisions healed by first intention without major vascular or neurological complications. In the lateral group, 3 patients developed patchy bruising on bilateral buttocks and posterior thighs at 3 days after operation, which resolved after 2 weeks of ice packs and ultrasonic therapy. The supine group demonstrated significantly shorter total operation time, non-release procedure time, hospital stay, and reduced intraoperative blood loss versus the lateral group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in release procedure time (P>0.05). All patients were followed up months postoperatively. Both groups showed significant improvements (P<0.05) in Mhhs score, GMC functional quantitative score, VAS score, and hip adduction/flexion ROM at all postoperative timepoints compared to preoperative values, with no significant intergroup differences (P>0.05). Conclusion Both surgical positions effectively improve hip function in GMC patients. However, the supine position offers significant advantages over the lateral decubitus position in operation time, anesthesia management, intraoperative blood loss control, and reduced hospital stay.