Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Therapies

Introduction

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome usually refers to hip pain. Greater trochanteric is present above the thigh bone and is considered the widest part of the hip. This condition is very common among people aged 40 to 60 years. It is more prone to be caused in females than males. This condition usually affects the outer region of the hip and thighs. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome usually occurs as the tissue outside the hip bone gets irritated or injured. The soft tissue connecting to the outside of the hip involves tendons and bursa. When these structures are overloaded, they result in greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

What Are the Common Causes of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?

The common causes of this syndrome are

• This condition can be caused by overuse or any exerted stress over the hip caused by any physical activity or exercising or long-standing.

• A hip injury is very commonly caused due to a fall.

• The person is overweight.

• Recovery post hip or leg injury.

• Some people may have one leg lengthier than the other.

• Bone spurs over the hip region.

• Arthritis is caused in the hip, knee, and foot.

• Some painful conditions of the foot, like bunion, callas, plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendon pain.

• Problems are caused by spinal issues such as scoliosis (sideway curve in the spine) or arthritis (swelling and pain in one or more joints) that affects the spine.

• Excess stress is exerted over the hip muscles due to muscle imbalance.

• Tears are caused in the buttock muscles.

• In rare cases, infection.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is usually caused in older people. Those people who are out of shape or overweight are prone to this condition.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms Associated With Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?

• Pain usually occurs in the hip, thigh, and buttock region.

• The pain can worsen when the person lies on their sides or exerts direct pressure over the area.

• This pain can be triggered due to some physical activities such as standing, walking, or running.

• The affected area may be tender to touch.

• The pain can get enhanced when the person sits with their leg crossed.

• The pain can increase if the person stands and puts pressure on the affected leg.

• Pain caused while climbing stairs.

• Pain is caused when someone lifts the affected area from a car or bed.

• Swelling and warmth of the affected hip joint.

• There may be a catching and clicking sensation of the affected joints.

• Stiffness of the affected joint.

How Is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Diagnosed?

The doctor usually does a physical examination of the affected area and enquires the person about the signs and symptoms. The doctor may do the following things during the examination.

• The doctor asks the person to pinpoint the region where the pain exists.

• The person is asked to feel and press over the affected region in the hip.

• The doctor may ask the person to move the hips and the legs while lying or sitting over a chair.

• The doctor may ask to sit and stand, walk around, etc.

• The doctor asks to measure the length of the legs.

The doctor may suggest some other test to confirm greater trochanteric pain syndrome. These are

• Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images present within the body.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic test that produces images of every structure present within the body.

• X-rays are electromagnetic waves that produce images of structures within the body.

How Can Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Be Managed?

Some home remedies and physical activities can help speed up recovery. Some common home remedies that can help manage this condition

• By placing an ice pack over the affected region for about 10 to 15 minutes helps to reduce inflammation.

• Heat should be applied over the affected area, which helps to lower stiffness.

• Over-the-counter painkillers can be taken to manage the pain.

• Exercise should be followed to strengthen the muscles over the outer hip region.

• If the person is overweight, they should reduce the weight to lower the stress on the muscle and skeleton.

Exercise also helps people to manage the pain caused by these syndromes. Exercise can help speedy recovery by strengthening the weaker areas and helps stretch thigh muscles. Some exercises that can be performed are

• IT band stretching.

• Quadriceps strengthening.

• Exercises which help to strengthen the outer muscles of the hips.

The doctors usually provide medication to manage the pain; the common medications recommended are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs help to reduce inflammation and pain. Some common side effects of these medications are

• Headaches.

• Gastrointestinal issues.

• Dizziness.

Some people are not supposed to take NSAIDs, so before taking any medications, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Corticosteroid Injection:

If painkillers are not helping to reduce the pain, then doctors may suggest corticosteroid injections, which can help to manage the pain. This injection is given on the outer hip. Corticosteroids are medications given to reduce the pain and inflammation. This method will not cure the condition but will help to manage the pain caused.

Surgery:

Surgery is the last option that the doctor may recommend when no other treatment options help to manage the pain and the condition. When the pain persists for more than 6 to 12 months, the doctors may recommend surgery. There are various surgeries, but which one needs to be performed depends on the underlying cause of the pain. Surgery that can be performed are

• Elimination of inflamed bursa.

• Correcting damaged tendons.

• Reducing tension over the IT band.

Some common side effects caused by surgical procedures are

• Loss of motion.

• Tendon or tissue damage.

• Infection over the operated areas.

• Scarring in the operated region.

What Is the Healing Period of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?

Usually, it takes two to three months to completely recover from the condition if the person has undergone any treatment other than surgery. If the person does not improve during this period, the doctors may recommend surgery.

Conclusion

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome usually causes pain in the hip region. It is usually seen in women aged 40 to 60 years. The main cause of this condition is when the tissue on the outside of the hip gets injured or strained due to injury or being overweight. This condition can be cured through home remedies and medications, but in severe conditions, surgery is required.