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Greater Trochanteric Bursitis
Don’t let greater trochanteric bursitis keep you from walking comfortably, sleeping on your side, or staying active. At Compass Pain and Wellness, we combine precise diagnosis with advanced treatments to relieve hip pain and address the root cause of your condition.
Overview
What Is Greater Trochanteric Bursitis?
Greater trochanteric bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa over the greater trochanter, the bony prominence on the outside of the hip. A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, and muscles. When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause pain along the outer hip that may radiate down the thigh.
Today, many specialists refer to this condition as part of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) because the symptoms may also involve nearby tendons and soft tissues around the hip. According to the Cleveland Clinic, trochanteric bursitis commonly causes pain along the outer hip that worsens with movement, pressure, or prolonged activity.
¹https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4964-trochanteric-bursitis
Expert Analysis
Understanding Greater Trochanteric Bursitis
The greater trochanter serves as an attachment point for several important hip muscles, including the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. These muscles play a critical role in stabilizing the pelvis during walking and movement. When excessive stress or repetitive friction occurs between these tendons and the bursa, inflammation can develop, leading to pain and tenderness along the outside of the hip.
Patients with greater trochanteric bursitis often experience pain on the outer hip that worsens when lying on the affected side, climbing stairs, walking long distances, or standing for extended periods. Some people also report stiffness, swelling, or a snapping sensation in the hip. If left untreated, ongoing inflammation can lead to chronic pain, reduced hip strength, and altered walking patterns that may place additional stress on the lower back or knees.
Triggers
Greater trochanteric bursitis is often caused by repetitive friction or excessive stress on the hip structures. Activities such as running, prolonged walking, climbing stairs, or repetitive hip movements can irritate the bursa and surrounding tendons. Over time, this irritation may lead to inflammation and persistent pain.
Other contributing factors include muscle imbalances, poor biomechanics, hip arthritis, lower back dysfunction, or leg length differences. Traumatic injuries such as falls onto the hip can also inflame the bursa. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, trochanteric bursitis frequently develops when repetitive movement or injury irritates the bursa surrounding the hip joint.
²https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-bursitis
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Differential Diagnosis
Outer hip pain can be caused by several different conditions, which is why accurate diagnosis is essential. Greater trochanteric bursitis is sometimes mistaken for hip joint arthritis, gluteal tendon tears, lumbar spine nerve irritation, iliotibial band syndrome, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Each of these conditions requires a different treatment approach, making proper evaluation critical.
At Compass Pain and Wellness, we prioritize precise diagnosis before beginning treatment. Our board-certified physicians use advanced diagnostic tools such as flexion and extension X-rays, structure-specific diagnostic ultrasound imaging, MRI scans, nerve conduction velocity testing, and targeted diagnostic injections to determine exactly which structure is responsible for the pain. By identifying whether symptoms originate from the bursa, tendons, joint, or surrounding nerves, we can develop a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific condition.
Solutions
Treating greater trochanteric bursitis effectively requires reducing inflammation while addressing the underlying biomechanical issues that contribute to irritation in the hip. At Compass Pain and Wellness, we create personalized treatment plans that combine advanced interventional procedures, regenerative medicine, and supportive therapies to help restore proper hip function and reduce long-term pain.
Treatment options may include:
REGENERATIVE TREATMENTS
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Greater Trochanteric Bursitis is one of the most complicated conditions to resolve.
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What Makes Compass Different
Many clinics treat hip pain by focusing only on reducing inflammation temporarily. At Compass Pain and Wellness, our philosophy is different. We begin with world-class diagnostic medicine, carefully identifying the precise structure responsible for your symptoms. Our physicians take the time to listen to your history, perform a detailed evaluation, and use advanced imaging tools to pinpoint the root cause of your pain.
Once the diagnosis is clear, we offer advanced regenerative medicine treatments such as platelet-rich plasma and cellular therapy, delivered under precise ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance to stimulate structural repair. In addition, our multidisciplinary team provides coordinated care that includes physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and advanced technologies like photobiomodulation, PEMF, and shockwave therapy—all working together to support your recovery and long-term success.
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Outlook
Outer hip pain can make everyday activities like walking, exercising, or even sleeping uncomfortable. Fortunately, greater trochanteric bursitis is highly treatable when the underlying causes are properly identified and addressed.
At Compass Pain and Wellness, our mission is to combine world-class diagnostic medicine with advanced regenerative and interventional treatments to help patients overcome chronic pain conditions. You don’t have to continue living with persistent hip pain. With the right diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, lasting relief is possible. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward moving comfortably again.
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