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The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Lateral Hip Pain)
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of lateral hip pain affecting middle-aged and older adults, particularly women - it was previously called 'trochanteric bursitis' but is now recognized as primarily gluteal tendinopathy (degeneration of gluteus medius and minimus tendons where they attach to the greater trochanter) with or without bursitis - GTPS causes pain over the outer hip bone, worse lying on the affected side at night, climbing stairs, and prolonged standing, improving with conservative treatment (activity modification, physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection) in 70-80% of patients within 3-6 months, though some cases become chronic requiring ongoing management or rarely surgery.
đWhat is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Lateral Hip Pain)?
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of lateral hip pain affecting middle-aged and older adults, particularly women - it was previously called 'trochanteric bursitis' but is now recognized as primarily gluteal tendinopathy (degeneration of gluteus medius and minimus tendons where they attach to the greater trochanter) with or without bursitis - GTPS causes pain over the outer hip bone, worse lying on the affected side at night, climbing stairs, and prolonged standing, improving with conservative treatment (activity modification, physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection) in 70-80% of patients within 3-6 months, though some cases become chronic requiring ongoing management or rarely surgery.
đŦWhat Causes It?
- Gluteal tendinopathy (degeneration of gluteus medius and minimus tendons from overuse or aging)
- Trochanteric bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sac over greater trochanter)
- Acute overload from increased walking, running, or stair climbing
- Chronic repetitive stress from leg length discrepancy, wide pelvis, or abnormal gait
- Direct trauma to lateral hip (fall onto hip)
â ī¸Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Female gender (3-4 times more common than males)
- Age 40-60 years (peak incidence)
- Obesity (increased stress on hip tendons)
- Leg length discrepancy or lumbar spondylosis (altered gait mechanics)
- Sudden increase in activity level (walking, running, new exercise program)
đĄī¸Prevention
- âMaintain healthy weight (reduces stress on hip tendons)
- âGradual progression of walking or running programs (avoid sudden increases in distance or intensity)
- âStrengthen hip abductors (gluteus medius exercises prevent tendinopathy)
- âAvoid sleeping directly on hip (use pillow between knees when side-lying)
- âAddress leg length discrepancies or biomechanical issues (orthotics, gait analysis)