Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.
Adductor tenotomy is surgery that partially or completely releases one or more adductor tendons in the groin. The adductor muscles pull the thigh toward the midline and can become pathologically tight or painful. Releasing a tendon reduces its tension and increases hip abduction or relieves stress at the tendon origin. The exact tendon and amount released depend on the condition being treated.
read more about adductor tenotomy ...Adductor tenotomy is used in selected patients with fixed hip adductor contracture, including children with cerebral palsy who are at risk for progressive hip displacement. It can also be used for chronic adductor-related groin pain in athletes when prolonged nonsurgical treatment has failed. In neuromuscular conditions, the procedure can improve hip positioning, hygiene, sitting, and ease of care. Treatment decisions consider age, hip migration, muscle tone, pain, functional goals, and whether other hip procedures are needed.
The surgeon makes a small incision in the groin and identifies the selected adductor tendon, commonly the adductor longus. The tendon is divided or partially released while nearby nerves and blood vessels are protected. Additional tendons, such as the gracilis or adductor brevis, can be released when a broader correction is required. In children with hip displacement, the operation can be combined with other soft-tissue or bony procedures according to the severity of deformity.
Patients begin gentle movement and positioning according to the reason for surgery and any associated procedures. Stretching and physical therapy help maintain the improved hip range and reduce recurrent contracture. Athletes gradually rebuild adductor strength before returning to cutting, kicking, or high-speed activity. Recovery is more complex when tenotomy is part of multilevel surgery for cerebral palsy or combined hip reconstruction.
Possible complications include infection, bleeding, bruising, numbness, weakness, painful scarring, and persistent groin pain. Excessive release can reduce adductor strength, while insufficient release can leave residual tightness. Contracture or hip migration can progress despite surgery, particularly in patients with significant neuromuscular disease. Some patients later require repeat soft-tissue surgery or bony hip reconstruction.
The adductor longus is commonly released, although other adductor tendons can also be treated depending on the condition and degree of contracture.
Yes. It can be used to reduce hip adductor contracture and help manage progressive hip displacement in selected children with cerebral palsy.
Yes. Selected athletes with chronic adductor-related groin pain that does not improve with prolonged rehabilitation can be considered for surgery.
Yes. Recurrent contracture can develop, particularly in growing children with spasticity or when the underlying muscle imbalance persists.
Do Adductor Tenotomies Prevent Progressive Migration in Children with Cerebral Palsy? A Systematic Review. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11328925/. Date Accessed August 13, 2026.
Adductor surgery to prevent hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy: the predictive role of the Gross Motor Function Classification System. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22336971/. Date Accessed August 13, 2026.
Adductor tenotomy in spastic cerebral palsy. A long-term follow-up study of 78 patients. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15788321/. Date Accessed August 13, 2026.
Surgical Release of the Adductor Longus With or Without Sports Hernia Repair Is a Useful Treatment for Recalcitrant Groin Strains in the Elite Athlete. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32047829/. Date Accessed August 13, 2026.
Bilateral mini-invasive adductor tenotomy for the management of chronic unilateral adductor longus tendinopathy in athletes. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22707750/. Date Accessed August 13, 2026.