SCRx February Spotlight: Greater Trochanteric Hip Pain

What is greater trochanteric hip pain? 

Greater trochanteric hip pain (often shortened to GTPS) refers to pain felt over the bony area on the outside of your hip. 

For years, this condition was commonly labelled as “hip bursitis”. However, research now shows that most cases are caused by irritation and overload of gluteal tendons (particularly gluteus medius and minimus), rather than inflammation alone. 

In simple terms: The tendons that help stabilise your hip are being asked to do more than they are currently prepared for. 

Common symptoms to look out for 

People with GTPS often notice: 

• Pain on the outside of the hip 
• Pain when lying on the affected side 
• Discomfort with walking, running or climbing stairs 
• Pain when standing on one leg 
• Difficulty getting in and out of the car or bed 
• Symptoms that gradually worsen over time 

Unlike hip arthritis, this pain is usually felt on the side of the hip, not deep in the groin. An early physiotherapy assessment helps confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes of hip pain.

Why does this hip pain develop? 

Greater trochanteric pain rarely has a single cause. It usually develops when the load placed on the hip tendons exceeds what they can comfortably tolerate over time. 

Common contributing factors include: 

• Sudden changes in activity 
  • A quick increase in walking distance, running, gym training or hill work. 
• Hip muscle weakness 
  • Reduced glute strength means the hip has to work harder to control movement. 
• Prolonged compression 
  • Regularly lying on one side, standing with weight pushed into one hip, or frequently crossing legs. 
• Poor pelvic or lower limb control 
  • Movement patterns that increase strain through the outer hip. 
• Previous injury or reduced conditioning 
  • Lower overall tissue capacity makes irritation more likely. 

Understanding the “why” behind your symptoms is a key part of treatment, and something the SCRx team assess carefully. 

How long does it take to settle? 

Recovery varies depending on how long symptoms have been present and how well the hip is rehabilitated. 

As a general guide: 

• Early or mild symptoms: around 6-12 weeks 
• Persistent or longstanding pain: 3-6 months 

One important myth to bust: rest alone rarely fixes GTPS. 

Avoiding movement often leads to further weakness, which can keep the cycle going. The goal is the right type of loading at the right time. 

Why physiotherapy works best 

Strong evidence shows that exercise-based physiotherapy is the most effective long-term treatment for greater trochanteric hip pain. 

Effective rehab should include: 

• Targeted glute strengthening 
• Gradual load tolerance training 
• Movement and posture education 
• A structured return to walking or running 
• Practical load management strategies 

Passive treatments on their own rarely solve the root problem. Tendons respond best to progressive, well-planned loading. 

At SCRx Physiotherapy, rehab is tailored to your lifestyle, activity level and goals - whether that’s comfortable daily movement or returning to sport. 

Can this type of hip pain be prevented? 

Recurrence is common if the underlying strength and loading issues aren’t addressed. 

Helpful prevention strategies include: 

• Maintaining good glute strength 
• Building activity levels gradually 
• Avoiding prolonged hip compression positions 
• Including regular strength and conditioning 

SCRx also offers Athletic Testing at their Fareham and Portsmouth clinics, which can identify strength deficits or imbalances that may increase injury risk. 

When should you seek support? 

Consider booking a physiotherapy assessment if you: 

• Have persistent pain on the outside of your hip 
• Struggle to lie comfortably on one side 
• Notice pain worsening with walking or running 
• Feel like the issue keeps returning 
• Are unsure whether symptoms are coming from your hip or lower back 

Early support usually leads to quicker and more complete recovery.