Understanding Lateral Hip Pain: What Can Physio Do for You?

If you’ve ever experienced pain on the outside of your hip, you’re not alone. Two of the most common culprits are Gluteal Tendinopathy and Hip Bursitis. Together, they fall under the umbrella of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) — a condition we see regularly in clinic.

The good news? Physiotherapy can play a big role in reducing pain, restoring normal function, and preventing long-term consequences.

Who Does It Affect?

GTPS can affect people of all ages and activity levels, but it most commonly impacts women between 40–60 years old. Lifestyle factors, training habits, and age-related changes in tendon health all contribute.

What Is It?

• Gluteal Tendinopathy: This occurs when the tendons of the gluteal muscles (which stabilize your hip) become irritated or overloaded.

• Trochanteric Bursitis: This is inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that cushions the greater trochanter — the bony prominence on the outside of your hip.

  
  

What Does It Look Like?

Typical symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of the hip, sometimes radiating down the thigh

• Discomfort when lying on the sore side at night

• Pain with prolonged sitting, sitting cross-legged, climbing stairs, or walking

• Tenderness when pressing over the greater trochanter

  
  

Risk Factors

• Repetitive hip-dominant activities (e.g., running)

• Sudden increases in training load or intensity

• Age-related tendon changes

• Direct trauma to the hip

  
  

How Physiotherapy Can Help

A tailored physiotherapy plan is the most effective way to manage GTPS. It often includes:

• Education & Load Management Learning how to modify activities so you can keep moving without aggravating the condition (e.g., reducing uphill walking).

• Manual Therapy Techniques such as soft tissue release, dry needling, or shockwave therapy may help reduce pain.

• Exercise Therapy Targeted strengthening of the gluteal and core muscles to improve pelvic stability. Exercises are progressed gradually to restore tendon health.

• Movement Retraining Correcting running or walking biomechanics to reduce repetitive strain on the hip.

  
  

Key Takeaway

Lateral hip pain doesn’t have to hold you back. With the right physiotherapy approach, you can reduce pain, restore function, and get back to the activities you love.

If you’re struggling with hip pain, book an appointment with us via the details listed below!