What is Gluteal Tendinopathy?
Gluteal tendinopathy is a common cause of pain at the side of the hip which is a reduction in health and load tolerance of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons. It is caused by overloaded tendons due to a rapid increase in training or exercising or an injury. This condition is more common in women than men.
How do I know if I have gluteal tendinopathy?
You may have Gluteal tendinopathy if you experience:
- Feel pain over the greater trochanter, the large bone that you can feel at the side of the hip, but may extend down the outer thigh towards the knee.
- Feel pain walking
- Have stiffness around this area
- Nighttime may worsen the issue.
To diagnose if you have Gluteal Tendinopathy your physiotherapist will have to complete an examination which will include taking note of your history and symptoms while also performing physical tests. Scans may be required to confirm a diagnosis.
How can physiotherapy help with gluteal tendinopathy?
Physiotherapy is able to help you with your condition in many ways including:
- Advice on controlling aggravating tendon loads such as postures, movement habits and activities
- Advise you on what exercise you can complete for long term improvement.
- Massage, self trigger point releases, acupuncture, dry needling and heat may assist with short term symptomatic pain relief
- Stretching of the gluteals or Iliotibial band (ITB) which will be advised by your physiotherapist
- Corticosteroid injections may be used.
- Surgery may be recommended if you do not respond to treatments
How long will my recovery be?
If you have this condition and manage it with an exercise program you should be able to notice pain reduction with 2-4 weeks. Although the time frame can vary depending on the severity of the tendon problem, duration of the problem, previous interventions, level of muscle weakness or physical conditioning, other coexisting health problems and adherence with advice and exercise prescription.
If you would like to find out more please call us or book an appointment here.
Back to Physiotherapy for Your Hip
Reference: Australian Physiotherapy Association 2019, Your Body, viewed 19 November 2019, < https://australian.physio/>.