man with hip pain

What Is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Some patients experience pain on the lateral side of the thigh in a clinical condition that may become chronic, also known as trochanteric Bursitis, but it may involve more than one human body tissues, not necessarily the local bursa - as commonly perceived. That is the reason why an assessment by a Physical Therapist is necessary, in order to determine the structures in pain and address their condition with proper therapy.

What Are The Symptoms of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Patients with the syndrome may experience symptoms such as :

  • Pain in prolonged sitting position
  • Pain on the later side of the thigh and towards the knee
  • Pain when climbing stairs
  • Night pain, especialy when laying on the affected limb
  • Muscle weakness
  • Inability to walk for long distances
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Quality of life deterioration

How Can Physical Therapy Help With Greater Trachanteric Pain Syndrome

During treatment the immediate concern is the cease of pain, which can be very acute in certain cases. This is achived through a combination of interventions, such as specialized massage and electrotherapy, which can be effective in any case. Later, the limb has to be mobilised and special exercises are introduced. Finaly, the strenghtening of the limb averts future recurring of the clinical conditions. The interventions applied are :

Which Are The Risk Factors of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

The syndrome ca be caused :

  • By direct hit or injury of the area
  • By prolonged pressure at the area
  • By intense exercise
  • By prolonged load on the limb
  • By a loose hip joint
  • More often in women
  • More often in athletes
  • More often in ages 40-60

Differential Assessment

Pain on the later side of the thigh, at the anatomical area of Greater Troachanter - a large bone prominence, that is charachteristic of the syndrome, may appear in other conditions as well. In that area there are many different types of human tissue that might be affected, such as muscles, tendons, bursa, etc, that is the reason we use the term Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, to include all possible conditions. The patient has to be assessed by a Physical Therapist, to determine the potentialy affected structures and apply proper technics and exercises to relief th pain. The pain on the later side of the thigh might be caused by :

If you have symproms of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Contact PhysioDanali today for expert consultation.

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