Abductor Tendon Tears

A type of tear found in the hip; an abductor tendon tear can commonly be misdiagnosed as trochanteric bursitis. Typically, this type of tear will cause pain on the outside of the hip. Abductor tendon problems can include inflammation or irritation, but can also go all the way to abductor tendon tears where the tendon comes detached from the bone.

It’s common to suffer an abductor tendon tear from an acute injury, but it can also happen from overuse. If you have suffered from an abductor tendon tear, Dr. John Andrachuk is the right Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeon in Atlanta to provide you with treatment.

What is an Abductor Tendon Tear?

The tendons attach to the bones and the muscles in your body. The abductors are the muscles that make it possible to rotate your leg or arm. The abductor tendons are found in the hip and help the hip open to the side.

Abductor tendon tears are the tearing of this tendon and can be very painful. They can lead to other conditions, too. The pain may develop over time or it could be caused by a sudden injury.

What Causes Abductor Tendon Tears?

It’s common to suffer an abductor tendon tear due to overuse. Many athletes will suffer this type of injury due to jumping or another type of overuse. The overuse can lead to micro-tears in the tendon. Once these tears form, the body might not have enough time to heal before they are made again. High-impact sports, such as basketball and soccer, may lead to abductor tendon tears in the athletes.

Common Symptoms of an Abductor Tendon Tear

The most common symptoms you might experience with an abductor tendon tear include pain and stiffness. You may also feel weakness in the hip. The pain will likely be located around the hip bone close to where the tendon starts. You might experience more pain when you walk or do any type of activity. It can also go away after you have warmed up your hip a bit.

While it is not as common, you might also experience a snapping sound or sensation in your hip. This can be a symptom of an abductor tendon tear.

How are Abductor Tendon Tears Diagnosed?

Diagnosing abductor tendon tears is usually done through a physical examination. It is common for a doctor to test the muscle power of the area and look at your walking pattern or your gait. Some special stress can be done, too, including a single-leg squat test.

In some cases, an ultrasound or MRI may be used to diagnose this type of injury.

Abductor Tendon Tears Treatment

Of course, if you start to notice pain or soreness in your hip, RICE therapy is the first step in treatment. Rest your hip, apply ice, use compression bandages, and elevate your hip. This can help to minimize swelling and with minor injuries, it might be enough to heal the injury.

Additional treatment options may include injections or NSAID medication for the pain. It may also be necessary to use a crutch or cane temporarily. Physical therapy is a very common treatment for abductor tendon tears.

In some cases, abductor tendon tears will be treated with surgery. If the tear is significant enough, surgery might be used to treat this type of injury. Often, other treatments will be used first with surgery only used when necessary.

Abductor Tendon Tears Recovery Time

The recovery time for an abductor tendon tear will depend on how bad the tear is or how many tears there are. If your tear requires surgery, you can expect a 16-week or more recovery period with physical therapy. Often, it can take much more than 16 weeks to get back to 100% normal activity.

Part of the issue with abductor tendon tears is where they happen. It’s not easy to avoid using your hip. This can lead to a longer recovery, even for a smaller tear.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Dr. Andrachuk provides extensive experience in treating abductor patellar tendon tears. If you have suffered a hip injury during athletic activity or you are experiencing hip pain, it’s time to seek medical help. Dr. Andrachuk offers conservative treatments, along with the best astroscopic and minimally invasive techniques available to get you back on the field as soon as possible. Contact us today and schedule your in-person or telemedicine appointment!