Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Symptoms include:

Pain When lying on the painful. This is often felt in a side in bed specific area on the outside

Difficulty crossing legs of the upper thigh, and can become very painful and tender to touch

Warmth around the outside of the hip when walking and going up or down stairs

Pain can occur around the same time.

Swelling When walking and going up or down stairs  

The level of pain can vary from person to person, most people report a dull ache which often can interrupt sleep at night.

Usually, a GP or physiotherapist will be able to make a confident diagnosis from your symptoms following an assessment. However, sometimes an ultrasound scan may help aid diagnosis.

This problem can develop after a direct trauma to the side of hip, such as a fall. More commonly it can develop due to the surrounding muscles becoming weak, poor posture, or sometimes it can develop with seemingly no cause.

• Avoid crossing the legs while sitting and try to avoid letting your knees come together as you getup from a chair
• Avoid sleeping on the painful side and try placing a pillow between the knees

Pain relief

Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen or anti inflammatory gels may be helpful to control the pain and allow you to continue exercising. Discuss this with your GP or pharmacist. 

Some people find ice effective in reducing their pain. Apply an icepack for 15 mins, two to three times a day. Avoid applying the ice directly to your skin, instead use a towel or have a fabric layer in between.

If pain is a significant problem and you are unable to exercise, in some cases a steroid injection may be useful in the short term to enable you to exercise the leg.

If you are overweight, reducing your weight can also improve symptoms through reducing the stress on your joints and muscles. 

Sedentary and inactive lifestyles increase the risk of developing pain and can also delay your recovery. Being active for 30 minutes in your day can make a big difference in your overall health and improve your pains.

Glutes strengthening

These strengthening exercises should be done once or twice a day. The hip / buttock area may feel sore whilst you are doing the exercises but there should be no intense or lasting pain, just work to the level that you can manage.

Start by exercising gradually and build up over time

As with any physical activity it is normal to feel some discomfort or aching in your muscles after exercising but you should stop if you get any joint pain that does not go away quickly. 

If you have any questions about exercising, ask your GP or physiotherapist.