Hip & Thigh
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Also called: Hip bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy
Pain over the bony point on the side of the hip — now understood to be mostly gluteal tendon irritation (with bursa involvement secondary). Classic in women 40–65 and in runners. Aggravated by compression: lying on that side, sitting cross-legged, standing hip-hitched.
Common signs
- Side-of-hip pain, tender directly over the bony prominence
- Pain lying on that side at night
- Worse with stairs, single-leg standing, or getting up after sitting
- Can refer down the outer thigh (but not with true nerve signs)
Seek help now if
- Inability to bear weight after a fall (fracture rule-out)
- Fever or systemic symptoms
- True neurological deficits (reconsider lumbar origin)
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Stop the compression: pillow between knees at night, no cross-legged sitting, stand square on both feet
- Reduce (don't stop) aggravating volume: shorter walks, fewer hill/stair repeats temporarily
- Begin isometric then progressive glute-medius loading — tendons respond to graded load, not rest alone
If it's become chronic
- This is a load-management-and-strengthening condition: expect a 8–12 week progressive program to change it
- Address running form and cadence, hip-drop patterns, and leg-length or gait asymmetries
- Injections offer short-term relief at best; exercise wins the long run
Natural healing options we use
- Progressive gluteal tendon loading program
- Manual therapy for TFL/IT band region and lumbopelvic care
- Attended e-stim and PEMF
- Gait and running-form coaching
About imaging
Clinical diagnosis; ultrasound or MRI reserved for refractory cases or tear suspicion.
Daily self-care
- Pillow between knees; avoid side-lying on it
- Don't hang on one hip when standing
- Consistent strengthening 3× weekly for 3 months
How we can help
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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.