Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

MedBD
বাং
Community data Updated 4 weeks ago

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

muscle-bone-and-joints musculoskeletal
0 medicines 8 symptoms

This information can help those who have already been diagnosed with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). If you are having new or ongoing symptoms, it is best to see a healthcare professional for a proper assessment and diagnosis.

Read more about self managing hip problems.

What is greater trochanteric pain syndrome?

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is also known as lateral hip pain or trochanteric bursitis. It is a common and painful condition affecting the outer side of the hip and thigh. It happens when the tissues covering the outside of the hip bone, known as the greater trochanter, become irritated.

The soft tissues attached to the outside of the hip include tendons and a bursa. When these are overloaded, they become the main source of pain in GTPS.

This condition is more common in women and in people aged between 40 and 60 years, though it can affect a person at any age.

Common Symptoms

pain in the hip, thigh or buttock area worse pain when lying on your side or with direct pressure pain increasing with exercise like periods of walking, standing or running tenderness to touch pain sitting with your legs crossed pain when standing on the affected leg (sometimes called hanging on the hip) pain when climbing stairs pain when lifting legs in or out of a car or bed

⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.

💊

Medicines Commonly Used

⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.

No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.

Causes

What causes GTPS?

Often GTPS can occur for no apparent reason but these are some factors which appear to contribute to it. These include:

  • a sudden increased load on your hip
  • a change to your activity levels like increased walking distances or pace
  • increased pressure to your hip area through sitting or standing in one position for too long or weight bearing on one leg
  • reduced strength and flexibility of the muscles around the hip and buttock
  • having a sedentary, inactive lifestyle or being overweight
  • an injury like a fall on to the side of your hip area
  • hormone changes may also influence this condition
  • this can also be related to osteoarthritis of the hips and knees or low back pain

How can GTPS be managed?

An important step in your recovery is identifying which activities are causing or increasing your pain. Modifying those activities can help to reduce symptoms.

The key to success is slow progressive loading of the soft tissues through exercise that strengthen the muscles involved.

Read more about exercises for greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Over time it is important to gradually increase the exercises to help the tendons and muscles become stronger, less painful and more able to cope with your normal activity levels.

Other ways to help improve symptoms include:

  • spreading your weight evenly across both feet and not leaning on just one leg
  • avoiding low chairs
  • avoid sitting with your legs crossed
  • avoid sleeping on the painful side – try lying on your back with a pillow under your knees or lie on your good side with a pillow between your legs to keep them in line with your hip joints
  • try to keep active and stay at work even if you have to modify your duties
  • losing weight if you are overweight

This condition can often take 6 to 12 months of rehabilitation to settle, but this will depend on the cause.

It is normal to have flare ups during this time. If this happens, then it may be best to reduce the repetitions or rest for a few days before starting again.

Treatment

Managing pain

Pain medication can help you move more comfortably, which can help your recovery.

More about taking painkillers

Corticosteroid injections

If painkillers aren’t helping to control the pain, your healthcare professional may discuss the option of having a corticosteroid injection into the outer hip.

Corticosteroids are medicines that help reduce pain and inflammation. They may also be given with a local anaesthetic.

Injections may not cure your condition, they are used to help with the pain.

Read more about corticosteroids

Work

GTPS can sometimes mean you need to take some time off work to help recovery. How long you’re off will depend on your condition and your role at work.

You don’t need to be symptom free before you consider returning to work. Continuing to go to work, or returning to work as soon as is possible for you, will help your recovery.

Gradually getting back to your normal daily activities can help to build up your strength and stamina levels.

Help and support

Following this advice, you should see gradual improvements over time.

Talk to a healthcare professional if:

  • your symptoms haven’t improved within 6 weeks following this advice
  • your symptoms get worse

Find out about access to MSK services in your area.

When dealing with any health condition it’s important to also look after your mental wellbeing. This can impact your recovery.

Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.