Application of the Goutallier/Fuchs Rotator Cuff Classification to the Evaluation of Hip Abductor Tendon Tears and the Clinical Correlation With Outcome After Repair.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and reproducibility of the Goutallier/Fuchs classification for the evaluation of abductor tendon tears of the hip, as well as to identify the relation between preoperative tear size, abductor muscle quality, and the success of endoscopic tendon repair. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 30 consecutive endoscopic abductor tendon repairs performed by a single surgeon over a 2-year period. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed, and the muscle was assigned a grade according to the Goutallier/Fuchs classification. Patient-rated outcome scores--visual analog scale score, Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS)--were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability for muscle grading was calculated. Postoperative outcome measures were compared with preoperative tear size, muscle grade, and repair type to assess for correlations. RESULTS: Of the 30 hips included in the study, over 75% were classified as grade 1 (n = 15) or grade 2 (n = 8). The intraobserver reliability and interobserver reliability of the classification system averaged 0.872 and 0.916, respectively. Two patients (grades 3 and 4) had repair failure and underwent muscle transfer. In the remaining 28 hips, improvement was seen in the visual analog scale score (6.0 v 1.7, P < .0001), HOS-Activities of Daily Living subscale score (58.8 v 83.4, P < .0001), HOS-Sport-Specific subscale score (40.0 v 75.0, P < .0001), and mHHS (55.6 points v 81.1 points, P < .0001) postoperatively. Increasing preoperative fatty infiltration and atrophy correlated with increased postoperative pain levels (regression coefficient, 0.93; P < .001) and decreased postoperative HOS-Activities of Daily Living subscale scores (regression coefficient, -3.36; P = .011), HOS-Sport-Specific subscale scores (regression coefficient, -5.63; P = .016), mHHS values (regression coefficient, -3.50; P = .0008), and patient satisfaction (regression coefficient, -1.04; P < .0001). Patient age, tear size, or repair type (double v single row) did not affect postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The Goutallier/Fuchs classification system can be reliably and reproducibly applied to the evaluation of abductor tendon tears of the hip and appears to correlate with patient-rated outcomes after repair. Increasing preoperative muscle fatty atrophy correlates with increased patient pain and decreased patient satisfaction and functional outcomes after repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic case series.

Duke Scholars

Author Richard Charles Mather III Orthopaedic Surgery