Understanding Hip Pain: What You Need to Know About Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Understanding Hip Pain: What You Need to Know About Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Have you ever experienced a nagging pain on the outer side of your hip that just won't go away? You might be dealing with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). 

What is GTPS?

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, or GTPS, is a condition that causes pain on the outer side of your hip. This can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even sitting uncomfortable. It's a common issue, especially among people who are active or spend a lot of time sitting.

Symptoms to Watch For

If you have GTPS, you might notice:

• Pain on the Outer Hip: This pain can spread down your thigh and get worse with activities like walking or lying on the affected side.

• Stiffness: Your hip might feel stiff, especially after sitting for a while.

• Swelling or Warmth: Sometimes, the area around your hip might look swollen or feel warm.

• Clicking Sensation: You might feel or hear a clicking sound when you move your hip.

Why Does GTPS Happen?

GTPS can develop for several reasons:

• Repetitive Movements: Activities like running or cycling that put a lot of stress on your hip can lead to GTPS.

• Injuries: Damage to the muscles and tendons around your hip can cause pain.

• Lack of Activity: Not moving enough can weaken your hip muscles, making them more prone to injury.

How to Manage GTPS

The good news is that there are several ways to manage GTPS and reduce your hip pain:

• Physiotherapy: Working with a Relive Physiotherapist can help you learn exercises and techniques to manage your pain and prevent it from coming back.

• Rest and Adjust Activities: Give your hip a break and avoid activities that make the pain worse. Give yourself a chance to heal with rehab at Chester’s Best Physiotherapy Clinic, Relive Physiotherapy.

• Exercise: Gentle exercises can help strengthen your hip muscles and improve flexibility. 

• Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain and swelling.

• Injections: In some cases, an injection might be recommended to reduce inflammation and pain.

Preventing GTPS

To keep your hips healthy and prevent GTPS, try these tips:

• Stay Active: Regular exercise can keep your hip muscles strong and flexible.

• Use Proper Techniques: Make sure you're using the right form during physical activities to avoid putting extra stress on your hips.

• Make Ergonomic Adjustments: Set up your workspace and daily activities to reduce strain on your hips. Make sure you are taking regular breaks to avoid stress on those gluteal muscles.

• Warm ups and Cool downs: Make sure you do not miss out on those warm ups and cool downs before doing any exercises or activities, they help prepare the muscle for the intense activities, cool downs are equally important because it reduces all the built up stress on the muscles hence reducing muscle tension.

Conclusion

If you are having Hip Pain, then you need to talk to a trained professional.  Coming to Chester’s Premium Hip Pain Clinic, Relive Physiotherapy may be the best thing that you could do! Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome can be a real distraction, but with the right approach, you can manage it effectively. By understanding the causes, recognising the symptoms, and taking steps to prevent and treat GTPS, you can keep your hips healthy and pain-free. Remember, taking care of your body today can help you stay active and comfortable in the long run.