Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome assessment and treatment at Northern Medical, Newcastle

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Treatment Newcastle

Book an appointment
Condition

Understanding Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of lateral hip pain, often felt over the outside of the hip and sometimes radiating down the thigh. It is frequently worse when lying on the affected side, walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods.

GTPS is not simply “hip bursitis” and is now understood primarily as a tendinopathy of the gluteal tendons, often with associated compression and overload at the greater trochanter. Symptoms can persist for months and significantly affect sleep, mobility, and quality of life. At Northern Medical, GTPS is assessed and managed as a load-related musculoskeletal condition, with treatment tailored to symptom duration, functional impact, and response to previous care.

Book an appointment
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome assessment image at Northern Medical
  • 01 / 04

    What causes GTPS?

    GTPS develops when the gluteal tendons are exposed to repetitive overload and compression that exceeds their capacity to adapt. Contributing factors include prolonged standing, walking on uneven surfaces, reduced hip strength, altered biomechanics, and sustained positions such as side-lying.

    It is more common in middle-aged and older adults and occurs more frequently in women. Symptoms may fluctuate but often persist if underlying loading and movement patterns are not addressed. Identifying and modifying these contributing factors is central to effective management.

  • 02 / 04

    How is GTPS diagnosed?

    GTPS is primarily diagnosed clinically, based on a combination of symptoms and physical examination findings. Pain is typically localised over the greater trochanter and reproduced with specific movements or loading tests.

    Imaging is not always required but may be used in persistent or atypical cases. Ultrasound or MRI can help assess the gluteal tendons and exclude other causes of hip pain. Imaging may also guide treatment decisions in more complex cases.

  • 03 / 04

    Shockwave therapy for GTPS

    Focused shockwave therapy may be used for chronic GTPS that has not responded to appropriate rehabilitation alone. It works by delivering targeted acoustic energy to the affected tendons, stimulating biological healing processes and reducing pain over time.

    Shockwave therapy is delivered in clinic, does not involve injections or anaesthetic, and is usually provided as a short course of treatment. Evidence supports its use in selected cases of chronic GTPS, particularly when combined with a structured rehabilitation programme focused on hip loading and movement control.

  • 04 / 04

    Injection therapy and other treatment options

    Injection therapy may be considered in selected cases where pain significantly limits rehabilitation or daily function. Different injection options may be discussed during consultation, depending on individual clinical factors.

    Injection treatments are not offered routinely and are considered alongside other evidence-based approaches, including shockwave therapy and structured rehabilitation. The aim is to reduce pain sufficiently to allow effective loading and long-term recovery, rather than provide short-term symptom relief alone.

Booking

Booking Your Treatment

Book a Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome treatment consultation at Northern Medical in Newcastle to discuss outer hip pain, difficulty lying on your side, walking pain, or symptoms affecting exercise and daily activity.

Our assessment focuses on confirming the likely source of pain and building a treatment plan that may include rehabilitation advice, focused shockwave therapy, or injection treatment where appropriate.

Book an appointment
Booking your treatment at Northern Medical
Pricing

Treatment Pricing

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about greater trochanteric pain syndrome treatment in Newcastle.

What is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of pain on the outside of the hip. It is usually related to overload and degenerative changes in the gluteal tendons rather than inflammation of the bursa alone. Pain is often worse when lying on the affected side, walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods.

Is GTPS the Same as Hip Bursitis?

GTPS was historically labelled as hip bursitis, but current evidence shows that most cases involve gluteal tendon pathology rather than isolated bursal inflammation. This is why modern treatment focuses on rehabilitation and load management rather than rest alone.

How Long Does GTPS Take to Improve?

Improvement usually occurs gradually over several months with appropriate rehabilitation and activity modification. Chronic GTPS is typically defined as symptoms lasting longer than three months. In more persistent cases, additional treatments may be considered to support recovery.

Do I Need a Scan for GTPS?

A scan is not always required. GTPS is usually diagnosed clinically based on symptoms and examination. In Newcastle, ultrasound or MRI may be used in persistent or atypical cases to assess the gluteal tendons or exclude other causes of hip pain.

Does Shockwave Therapy Work for GTPS?

Shockwave therapy may reduce pain and improve function in selected cases of chronic GTPS that have not responded to rehabilitation alone. At Northern Medical in Newcastle, focused shockwave therapy is offered following clinical assessment to ensure it is appropriate for your condition.

Are Injections Used for GTPS?

Injection therapy may be considered in selected cases where pain significantly limits rehabilitation or daily activities. Different injection options may be discussed during consultation, depending on individual clinical factors. Injections are used cautiously and as part of a broader management plan.

Can I Sleep on My Side With GTPS?

Side lying often aggravates GTPS, particularly on the affected side. Simple strategies such as avoiding direct pressure, using pillows to support leg position, or modifying sleep posture may help reduce symptoms. These adjustments are often discussed as part of rehabilitation.

Can I Walk or Exercise With GTPS?

Most people can continue walking and daily activities, but painful or aggravating movements may need to be modified temporarily. Progressive loading and strengthening exercises are important for recovery. Your clinician in Newcastle will advise on appropriate activity levels.

Will GTPS Come Back?

GTPS can recur, particularly if loading patterns and aggravating positions are not addressed. Ongoing strength work, movement control, and gradual return to activity reduce the risk of symptoms returning.

When Should I Seek Clinical Assessment in Newcastle?

You should consider clinical assessment if lateral hip pain persists for several months, affects sleep or daily function, or does not improve with initial conservative measures. Assessment at Northern Medical in Newcastle helps confirm the diagnosis and guide evidence based treatment.

Rehabilitation and progressive loading for GTPS at Northern Medical, Newcastle

Rehabilitation and Progressive Loading for GTPS

Rehabilitation is a key component of effective treatment for GTPS. While pain-modifying treatments may help settle symptoms, long-term improvement depends on restoring the gluteal tendons' ability to tolerate load without excessive compression.

Rehabilitation focuses on progressive strengthening of the hip abductors, improving movement control, and modifying aggravating positions and activities. Exercises are introduced gradually and progressed over time to encourage healthy tendon adaptation.

At Northern Medical, rehabilitation advice is integrated into your treatment plan. Where more structured or supervised rehabilitation is required, we can coordinate care with one of our recommended physiotherapy practices to ensure treatment and rehabilitation are aligned.

Book an appointment