A Common Cause of Hip Pain and What Can Help?
Gluteal tendinopathy is a common and yet often misunderstood condition that affects the tendons in the hip area, leading to pain and discomfort that can interfere with daily activities. It typically develops due to overuse or particular loading patterns and is more prevalent among middle-aged individuals, especially women and runners. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options is key to effectively managing the condition and returning to an active lifestyle. The following resource has been created to help individuals understand what gluteal tendinoapthy is and how to navigate towards recovery effectively.
What is Gluteal Tendinopathy?
Gluteal tendinopathy is a condition where the tendons of the gluteus maximus, medius, or minimus muscles become injured. It often causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the hip and may involve partial or full tendon tears.
Gluteal tendinopathy is a condition where the tendons of the gluteus maximus, medius, or minimus muscles become injured. It often causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the hip and may involve partial or full tendon tears.
Who is most likely to experience Gluteal Tendinopathy?
A: Gluteal tendionopathy can affect many people including athletes (particularly runners) and non-athletes. Gluteal tendionopathy more commonly affects middle aged people and females.
A: Gluteal tendionopathy can affect many people including athletes (particularly runners) and non-athletes. Gluteal tendionopathy more commonly affects middle aged people and females.
What are the Symptoms of Gluteal Tendinopathy?
Gluteal tendonopathy can include symptoms such as pain on the side of the hip, discomfort when lying on the injured side, and pain during activities like standing, walking, or running.Pain in gluteal tendinopathy can sometimes be challenging to understand as pain will often occur after performing an activity rather than during the activity. This element of pain arising after an activity is a hallmark of tendon injuries.
Gluteal tendonopathy can include symptoms such as pain on the side of the hip, discomfort when lying on the injured side, and pain during activities like standing, walking, or running.Pain in gluteal tendinopathy can sometimes be challenging to understand as pain will often occur after performing an activity rather than during the activity. This element of pain arising after an activity is a hallmark of tendon injuries.
What causes Gluteal Tendinopathy?
Gluteal tendinopathy is usually caused by a gradual overload of the tendons, which can be exacerbated with certain posture and movement patterns.This can be a difficult thing to understand, however a trained practitioner like a physiotherapist or a podiatrist can help you understand what is relevant in your particular case.
Gluteal tendinopathy is usually caused by a gradual overload of the tendons, which can be exacerbated with certain posture and movement patterns.This can be a difficult thing to understand, however a trained practitioner like a physiotherapist or a podiatrist can help you understand what is relevant in your particular case.
How is Gluteal Tendinopathy treated?
Treatment for gluteal tendinopathy is always recommended to start with a thorough assessment from a skilled practitioner. There are many treatment options available, however the best treatment will always involve the identification of the cause of the injury and a recommendation that includes removing or addressing the cause of the injury.
Treatment for gluteal tendinopathy is always recommended to start with a thorough assessment from a skilled practitioner. There are many treatment options available, however the best treatment will always involve the identification of the cause of the injury and a recommendation that includes removing or addressing the cause of the injury.
Treatment options for gluteal tendinopathy include:
- Exercise therapy tailored to the individual needs and activity goals
- Education on modifying irritating activities
- Massage therapy to reduce pain
- Footwear recommendation
- Orthotic therapy
- In some cases, medications, steroid or Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be recommended alongside the above therapies. Injection therapies alone are not often recommended.
Is there research to understand treatment effectiveness for Gluteal Tendinopathy?
Research has shown that an 8-week physiotherapy program, including one education session and 14 treatment sessions, significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life compared to steroid injections or no treatment. A year later, 79% of those who completed the exercise program reported long term success. For people who want to remain active, a tailored approach to returning to desired and previously irritable activity can be created by a physiotherapist.With the right information and often an experience practitioner, gluteal tendinopathy doesn’t need to be confusing. Understanding is often the first part of improvement and with evidence for a high success rate and long term resolution with the right treatment, recovery from gluteal tendinopathy can be done so with confidence and clarity.
Research has shown that an 8-week physiotherapy program, including one education session and 14 treatment sessions, significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life compared to steroid injections or no treatment. A year later, 79% of those who completed the exercise program reported long term success. For people who want to remain active, a tailored approach to returning to desired and previously irritable activity can be created by a physiotherapist.With the right information and often an experience practitioner, gluteal tendinopathy doesn’t need to be confusing. Understanding is often the first part of improvement and with evidence for a high success rate and long term resolution with the right treatment, recovery from gluteal tendinopathy can be done so with confidence and clarity.
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Please feel welcome to book an appointment here, or call us on (03) 5298 1147
Written by:
Ryan Michell,
Physiotherapist
Proactive Health & Movement
Source:
Ladurner A, Fitzpatrick J, O’Donnell JM. Treatment of Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Stage-Adjusted Treatment Recommendation. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 Jul 29;9(7):23259671211016850. doi: 10.1177/23259671211016850. PMID: 34377713; PMCID: PMC8330465.
