Editorial Commentary: Endoscopic Hip Abductor Repair Results in Excellent Outcomes in Challenging Patients: Surgical Indications Require Additional Clarification

Hip abductor pathology exists on a spectrum, potentially involving symptoms of pain, weakness, loss of active motion, and disordered movement. Imaging findings may include tendinosis, detachment of a portion of the footprint, fluid imbibition with undersurface tearing at the footprint, or full-thickness detachment of 1 or both tendons with or without evidence of fatty infiltration or atrophy of the associated muscle bellies. Yet, sometimes there are no imaging findings at all. Endoscopic repair of hip abductor tendon tears is growing in popularity and interest. Recent research suggests that with treatment of concomitant pathology, excellent clinical results are durable, even in patients with potentially poor prognoses (eg - older patients with poor preoperative patient reported outcome measures). While techniques have become increasingly refined, surgical indications remain vague and confusing. Future research could consider why some patients are taken to the operating room, while most are not.