At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, our orthopedic hip specialists are dedicated to helping those with lateral hip pain get back to their active lifestyles. We focus on reducing hip pain and improving mobility; therefore, our experts will provide personalized treatments for your specific concerns. This collaborative and supportive approach ensures that you can find relief and enjoy life to the fullest.
What causes lateral hip pain (GTPS)?
The hip joint is a complex system of bone, muscle and soft tissues, and it’s the largest weight-bearing joint in the body. It’s commonly called a “ball-and-socket” joint. The hip joint consists of two bones: the femur (thighbone) and the pelvis. The acetabulum (socket) is in the pelvis, and the femoral head (ball) is at the top of the femur.
Excessive wear and tear, and repeated motion, can cause hip pain and other symptoms. However, many people have pain that they attribute to the hip, but it’s actually originating from an area outside the hip joint. In this case, it’s pain from the side of the hip. When this occurs, it’s referred to as lateral hip pain, or greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).
Lateral hip pain can be caused by any number of conditions, including:
- Iliotibial (IT) band pain
- Tendonitis
- Tears of the gluteal tendons as they attach to the bone (gluteal cuff)
- Inflammation of the trochanteric bursa (bursitis)
Some people may be more likely to develop these conditions due to certain risk factors. Risk factors are anything that increase the likelihood you’ll develop a condition.
Some risk factors associated with lateral hip pain include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Traumatic injury to the hip
- Previous medical conditions, including osteoarthritis or a chondrocalcinosis diagnosis
- Joint overuse due to athletics or occupational requirements
- Obesity
- Being aged 50 and older
- Being female assigned at birth
It’s important to note that just because you may have a risk factor, you might not have lateral hip pain. If you’re experiencing any new or unusual symptoms, you should talk to your doctor.
What are the symptoms of lateral hip pain (GTPS)?
The symptoms of lateral hip pain can differ greatly depending on various factors, such as age, activity level and underlying health conditions.
The symptoms of GTPS (caused by IT band syndrome, gluteal tendon tears and bursitis) may include:
- Pain felt on the outermost, widest part of the hip
- Sometimes pain from the buttock or down into the side of the thigh
- Pain that worsens with certain activities, including walking, getting in and out of a car or climbing up stairs
- Sometimes limping while walking
- Pain at night while lying on the side of the hip
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor to find out what's causing your pain and the best way to treat it.
How are lateral hip (GTPS) conditions diagnosed?
To properly diagnose lateral hip problems, experts in the Ohio State Sports Medicine Program will gather a detailed medical history, perform a physical examination and obtain a list of reported symptoms from you. We’ll ask you about what types of activities and motions seem to bother you more.
Imaging is usually needed to form a diagnosis. This may include:
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Ultrasound (in some cases)
Your doctor will determine what type of imaging you may need.
How are lateral hip (GTPS) conditions treated?
Lateral hip pain can be caused by several conditions, including IT band pain, tendonitis, gluteal tendon tears and bursitis. Each of these issues affects different parts of the hip and can lead to discomfort during everyday activities. While the pain may occur in different areas, treatment approaches for each condition are usually similar.
Some treatments may include:
- Activity modification and rest
- Lifestyle modifications including weight loss and dietary changes
- Medications, including oral steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma injections
- Physical therapy
In some cases, hip surgery may be necessary. Hip surgeries for lateral hip pain could include open tendon repair, a bursectomy or an iliotibial band window surgery.
The experts at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center will determine which treatments will work best for your individual needs. The frequency and duration of the recommended treatments will vary on several factors, including the severity of your condition, your overall health status and how well you respond to initial treatments. These personalized approaches are to alleviate your hip pain and improve your activity level and prevent further complications from injury.
Why choose Ohio State for hip treatment?
At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, our hip experts specialize in the most advanced, personalized treatment options for lateral hip pain. Our integrated hip care team includes surgeons, sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, clinic staff and a research team that focuses solely on hip injuries.
We offer an entire spectrum of care when it comes to treating hip pain. Our team offers novel nonsurgical interventions for lateral hip pain treatment when appropriate, such as orthobiologics therapies like platelet-rich plasma to promote healing. You may also be a candidate to participate in clinical trials of newly developed therapies for hip conditions.
Our state-of-the-art facility, the Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute, also offers a variety of services from advanced physical therapy offerings to outpatient surgical solutions. Our dedicated team ensures that each person receives comprehensive hip pain care tailored to their specific needs.