Gluteal Tendinopathy and Hip Bursitis Physiotherapy in Clapham

Gluteal tendinopathy is a problem with the tendons that attach your buttock muscles to the bony point on the outside of your hip. It’s the most common cause of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), an umbrella term for pain on the outside of the hip that also includes hip bursitis.

Although it’s often called trochanteric or hip bursitis, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital explains that GTPS relates to changes in the gluteal tendons or the hip bursae, and the tendons are usually the main source of pain.

According to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, GTPS affects around three times as many women as men, and usually develops between the ages of 40 and 60, around perimenopause.

Changes in hormones, muscle strength and activity levels around this time, can all increase the load on these tendons. Olivia understands how menopause can affect your body and tailors treatment to you.

• Pain and tenderness over the bony point on the outside of your hip
• Pain when lying on the affected side, and sometimes the other side too
• Pain getting up from a chair, climbing stairs or walking uphill
• Pain standing on one leg, for example when getting dressed
• Pain that can spread down the outside of your thigh

Gluteal tendons are sensitive to compression, when they’re squeezed against the bone. Common triggers include:

• Crossing your legs when sitting
• Sleeping on the painful side, or with your top knee dropped across your body
• Standing with your weight on one hip
• Sitting in low chairs
• Sudden increases in walking, running or stair climbing

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital recommends physiotherapy and changes to everyday positions as the main treatment, focusing on improving the control and capacity of the muscles around the hips and pelvis. Treatment may include:

• Advice on positions to avoid and how to sleep comfortably
• A progressive strengthening programme to rebuild tendon capacity
• Exercises to improve hip and pelvic control
• Guidance on walking, running and other exercise as you recover
• Hands-on treatment to ease pain where helpful

Night pain is one of the most frustrating parts of gluteal tendinopathy. It can help to:

• Sleep on your back, or on your other side with a pillow between your knees
• Use a soft mattress topper to reduce pressure on the hip
• Avoid letting your top knee drop across your body

If symptoms don’t improve with exercise, your GP or consultant may discuss other options, such as a steroid injection or shockwave therapy. Injections can ease pain in the short term, but exercise remains key to long-term recovery.

Olivia can work alongside your GP or consultant and advise when a referral might help.

Your first appointment lasts 60 minutes and takes place in a private room at our Clapham clinic. Olivia will:

• Talk through your symptoms, what makes them better or worse, your activity levels and your goals
• Assess your hip, pelvis and back, your strength and how you move
• Explain what she has found and agree a treatment plan with you
• Give you exercises and practical advice to start at home