Does ultrasound correlate with surgical or histologic findings in greater trochanteric pain syndrome? A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome can be severely debilitating. Ideal imaging modalities are not established, treatments are not reliably evaluated, and the underlying pathology is not well understood.


OBJECTIVE
Using surgical and histopathology findings as a gold standard, we therefore determined the positive predictive value of preoperative ultrasound assessment for greater trochanteric pain syndrome recalcitrant to nonoperative management. In addition, we report the outcomes of gluteal tendon reconstructive surgery using validated clinical and functional outcome tools and evaluate the contribution of the tendon and bursa to greater trochanteric pain syndrome.


METHODS
We reviewed 24 patients who had combined gluteal tendon reconstruction and bursectomy. Preoperative ultrasound imaging was compared with surgical findings. In the absence of a greater trochanteric pain syndrome specific outcome tool, surgical outcomes for pain and function were assessed via a 100-mm visual analog scale, the modified Harris hip score, and the Oswestry Disability Index. Strength also was measured. The tendon and bursa tissue collected at surgery was histopathologically reviewed.


RESULTS
In our small study, ultrasound had a high positive predictive value for gluteal tendon tears (positive predictive value = 1.0). Patients reported high levels of pain relief and function after surgery; tendon and bursa showed pathologic changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound appears to be clinically useful in greater trochanteric pain syndrome; reconstructive surgery seems to relieve pain and the histopathologic findings show tendinopathy and bursa pathology coexist in greater trochanteric pain syndrome.


METHODS
Level IV, case series. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fearon
A M
AM
Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. angie.fearon@anu.edu.au
Scarvell
J M
JM
Cook
J L
JL
Smith
P N
PN
D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002062:Bursitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013577:Syndrome; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography