Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS)

What is greater trochanteric pain syndrome?

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), also known as lateral hip pain or trochanteric bursitis, is a common and painful condition which affects the outer side of the hip and thigh. It occurs when the tissues which lie over the outside of the hip bone (greater trochanter) become irritated.

The soft tissues that attach to the outside of the hip include tendons and bursa. When these become overloaded they are the primary sources of pain caused by GTPS.

It’s more common in females and in those aged between 40 and 60 years old but can affect any age.

Signs and Symptoms of GTPS

These can vary from person to person.

People may experience some or all of these symptoms including:

• Pain in the hip/thigh/buttock area.
• Worse pain when lying on your side or with direct pressure.
• Pain increasing with exercise such as periods of walking, standing or running.
• Tenderness to touch.
• Pain sitting with your legs crossed.
• Pain when standing on the affected leg (sometimes called hanging on the hip)
• Pain when climbing stairs
• Pain when lifting legs in/out a car or bed

What causes GTPS

Often it can occur for no apparent reason but these are some factors which appear to contribute to it:

• a sudden increased load on your hip
• a change to your activity levels such as increased walking distances or pace
• increased pressure to your hip area through sitting or standing in one position for too long or weight bearing on one leg
• reduced strength and flexibility of the muscles around the hip and buttock
• having a sedentary, inactive lifestyle or being overweight
• an injury such as a fall on to the side of your hip area
• hormone changes may also influence this condition
• this can also be related to osteoarthritis of the hips and knees or low back pain