Hip Bursitis / Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?

Do you experience a sharp pain in your outer side of the hip?

Do you find it difficult to lie on the painful hip?

Does it limit your normal levels of activity?

Does it feel like your hip may “pop out” whilst you attempt to walk/run/jog?

Different names:

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Hip Impingement

What is Hip Bursitis?

Just like your shoulder joint, your hip is a ball and socket joint in between the two bones; there is a fluid (the bursa), tendons, which could possibly get irritated/ annoyed (inflamed). This happens when the movement between the two bones don’t move in a smooth pattern.

hip bursitis physio.jpg

Possible Symptoms?

  • Pain on lying on the affected side.

  • Pain in walking/running/ jogging.

  • Pain while trying to put your shoes and socks on.

  • Pain while taking the stairs (especially climbing)

  • Pain while you try to run/walk/jog a hill (especially uphill)

  • Pain while squatting.

  • Pain that could possibly disturb your sleep.

  • Pain while putting excessive load on the hip

  • Pain while jumping, dancing or hopping (while playing).

  • Pain sometimes could radiate down into the outer thigh up to the knee.

Do I need any scans?

NO! A Physio through their detailed assessment can help you come up with the diagnosis 

If we think you need a scan, we can refer you to get one after we thoroughly assess your hip.

If you already have done scans in the past, bring them in! With that we could help you explain what’s been happening there and explain how relevant it is to your pain and collaboratively nail it.

Is it treatable or do I have to live with it?

Of course it is treatable and we will make sure we won’t let you live with it! It is a reversible condition .

Working with a Physio, can help you understand what and how the muscles could be strengthened and how your activities can be modified.

We will make sure we get your pain sorted by some hands on therapy to help you move better and sleep better

We will load your tendons and the muscles appropriately with exercises which would give a long term effect that would keep you going!

We will guide you in pacing activities to reach the ultimate goal as we don’t want you to miss anything!

Let’s get your tight Glutes (Bum muscles) to relax with some releases and then smash the exercises you’re given to make sure they have strength to cope with the excessive load we put them through!! Give this release technique and exercise a go: 



Will I require a cortisone injection or Surgery?

No, you don’t require a cortisone injection for this.

It is a ‘quick fix’ to decrease the inflammation but not a permanent fix. Similar to a band aid, which fails to treat the source, but only the symptoms.

No, surgery is not recommended for bursitis as per the latest Clinical trials.

Risks associated with the surgery are far too high compared to Physio management which demonstrate greater long term results.

It is worth giving at least 6 months of Good Physio, smashing the exercises we prescribe to you to get back to pain free life.