Hip Tendon Repair
Gluteal & Hamstring Dubai
Pain on the outside of the hip — worse lying on that side at night, climbing stairs, or standing on one leg — is usually not "bursitis," despite decades of the label. In most cases the real problem is the gluteal tendons: the tendons of gluteus medius and minimus that anchor to the outer hip and keep your pelvis level with every step. They can become inflamed (tendinopathy), partially torn, or torn completely — the hip's equivalent of a rotator cuff tear, and just as consequential when it fails: weakness, a lurching limp, and pain that rest doesn't fix.
Getting the diagnosis right
Clinical testing of abductor strength plus MRI distinguishes tendinopathy from partial and full-thickness tears. This matters because the treatments differ completely — and because "trochanteric bursitis" treated with repeated injections can quietly consume the window in which a torn tendon is still repairable.
Treatment
Gluteal tendinopathy responds well to a structured loading programme and habit changes (it is famously aggravated by positions that compress the tendon, like crossing the legs). Tears causing weakness or persistent pain are treated surgically: tendon repair, performed endoscopically where possible — reattaching the tendon through keyhole incisions. For chronic, irreparable tears, tendon transfer techniques can restore function; Dr. Haidar has published peer-reviewed work on endoscopic gluteus maximus tendon transfer for exactly these irreparable abductor tears, reflecting a specific expertise in the hardest end of this problem. Proximal hamstring injuries — the sprinter's and water-skier's tear at the sit bone — are managed on the same principle: rehabilitation for most, timely repair for the tears that need it.
Recovery
Tendon repairs are protected early — typically a period on crutches with limits on certain movements while the tendon heals to bone — followed by progressive strengthening. Meaningful recovery of strength and gait takes three to six months; the payoff is a hip that supports you again rather than one you manage around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to take the next step?
Consultations available in English, French and Arabic at two Emirates Hospital locations in Dubai.