Patients who have lateral hip pain are frequently told that they have greater trochanteric bursitis.
Patients who have lateral hip pain are frequently told that they have greater trochanteric bursitis. However, correct nomenclature now refers to the condition as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). This definition is inclusive of gluteus medius tendinopathy and snapping hip, which also contribute to the development of lateral hip pain.
The paradigm has shifted and now gluteus medius tendinopathy is thought to be the driver of pain and not bursal inflammation. In cases where bursitis is found, it is typically seen in conjunction with gluteus tendinopathy. In a cohort of 877 patients with GTPS, only 8% were found to have isolated bursitis.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology looked at histopathological samples in patients who had been diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis. They found no evidence of inflammation in their bursa specimens. Another study published in Arthritis and Rheumatism looked at MRI results in 24 patients with the complaint of lateral hip pain with tenderness.
What they found was that in 15 of the patients (62.5%) there was evidence of gluteus medius tendinopathy. Only 2 patients were found to have bursa distention on MRI. Illustration of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (courtesy of mass4d.com) There are three major bursa associated with the greater trochanter.
These are the subgluteus maximus bursa, subgluteus medius bursa, and subgluteus minimus bursa. The largest bursa is the subgluteus maximus bursa and is also known as the trochanteric bursaRisk factors for GTPS are knee OA, IT band syndrome, and low back pain. Women are four times more likely to have GTPS then men.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to treatment options for greater trochanteric pain syndrome, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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