Conditions · Lower limb

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome !

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is pain over the bony point of the outer hip, usually from irritated gluteal tendons; lying on that side hurts.

Updated 2026-10-23

Structures involved

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• Trochanteric bursae
• Gluteus medius
• Gluteus minimus
• IT band

What it is

Pain over the outer hip, often from gluteal tendinopathy or bursitis rather than pure bursitis alone.

Symptoms and signs

• Lateral hip pain that may radiate down the thigh
• Pain lying on the affected side
• Pain with stairs or rising from a chair

Diagnosis

Clinical

Point tenderness over the greater trochanter

Imaging

Ultrasound or MRI if needed to confirm tendinopathy

Treatment

Rehabilitation

Physical therapy focused on gluteal strengthening and load management.

Conservative

Activity changes and anti-inflammatory measures.

Related conditions

• Intertrochanteric hip fracture
• Meralgia paresthetica
• Piriformis syndrome
• Lumbar spinal stenosis

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Greater Trochanteric Bursitis) (StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024).

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