Understanding Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is a health condition that results in pain over the outside of the
upper thigh of a person. It can lead to difficulty in walking and a lot of pain. The pain can be caused by
repetitive movements, injury or prolonged pressure. As per the estimates, greater trochanteric pain
affects one in three hundred people every year, and is very common in women between the age of forty
and sixty years. It can also occur in young people, especially dancers, footballers, etc.

Symptoms Of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

The most common symptom of this syndrome is hip and outer thigh pain. This pain can be very deep
with burning sensations and can become worse over time. The pain can be worse when you are lying on
your side and can also become worse when you do exercise. When the pain is severe, you may find
yourself walking with a limp. In the opinion of experts in our low income health clinic, the pain often
goes away on its own over time.

Causes Of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrom

Our hip area includes the ball and socket joint and the muscles, connective tissue and nerves around it.
Usually, greater trochanteric pain syndrome can happen due to minor injury or inflammation to tissue in
the outer thigh area. There can also be other causes like:
 Repetitive movements of the hip area.
 Some diseases like gout, arthritis and infections like tuberculosis can result in an inflamed bursa.
 Having a difference in leg length.

Diagnosis Of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

The diagnosis of the syndrome is usually done based on the symptoms and the examination by a
healthcare professional. If you experience any of the symptoms of greater trochanteric pain syndrome,
you can visit an affordable health clinic in your area and the doctor will examine your legs and your hip
region. When the doctor presses over the area of the greater trochanter, you may find the area to be
very tender.

Usually, tests are not required, but if your healthcare professional suspect that infection of the bursa
causing the problem, then tests might be necessary. In addition, tests may be required if the diagnosis is
not clear. An MRI scan or an x-ray of the hip region might be needed in such cases.

Treatment Of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrom

Usually, the problem will resolve on its own without any treatment. But, it can take many weeks or more
for some people for the symptoms to subside. Experts say that avoiding or reducing activity that leads to
pain can help increase recovery speed.