Hip Bursitis (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome) rehabilitation in Canberra.

What the evidence says.

Most lateral hip pain labelled bursitis is actually gluteal tendinopathy, an overload problem of the tendons under the bursa, and that distinction changes the treatment. The landmark LEAP trial compared education plus targeted exercise against corticosteroid injection and found the exercise group doing better at one year, while injections faded. Repeated cortisone for lateral hip pain is a short loan at high interest. Load management plus progressive strengthening is the treatment with staying power.

How I treat it.

First, the daily aggravators get fixed: crossing legs, hanging on one hip, side sleeping without a pillow between the knees, all of which compress the irritated tendons for hours a day. Then progressive loading of the gluteal tendons, from isometrics for pain relief through to heavy, slow strengthening and single leg control, because these tendons recover by being loaded well, not rested indefinitely.

Hands on treatment settles the overworking tensor fascia lata and lateral thigh in the same sessions. This condition hits active women over fifty hardest, and it responds beautifully to being taken seriously.

What we aim for.

• Side sleeping and stairs comfortable again
• Single leg strength that protects the tendon long term
• Walking distance rebuilt without next day flares
• No more injection cycles