Physiotherapy & Pilates

Hip pain and gluteal tendinopathy

Lateral hip pain (pain at the outside of the hip) is a common issue, in particular in middle aged women, occurring most often due to reduced strength in the lateral gluteal (or buttock) muscles. This pain most often results from inflammation and degeneration in the gluteal tendon(s) - known as tendinopathy. Gluteal tendinopathy is often misdiagnosed as bursitis and treated with corticosteroid injections. Whilst it is true that gluteal tendinopathy and trochanteric bursitis (commonly known as hip bursitis) can occur together, tendinopathy can also occur on it’s own and only in the most stubborn of cases does it require treatment with steroid injection, which can be painful and has varying results. The good news is, tendons are capable of healing and a targeted strength program for the muscles around the hip has been shown to be more effective in most cases than invasive treatments such as injections or surgery. Better still, stronger glutes will also have a positive effect on the bursa and very often the bursa will also be restored to a healthy state. Janie and Melli have both updated their knowledge recently in this area, so if you know someone experiencing lateral hip pain, send them our way before they try anything more invasive!