Pain on the outside of the hip that makes lying on that side impossible — and that is usually mislabelled as bursitis.
Gluteal tendinopathy is the most common cause of pain over the bony point at the side of the hip. It is frequently called bursitis, which points the treatment in the wrong direction: the bursa is rarely the primary problem, the tendon is.
First, remove the compression — and the sleeping and sitting advice here changes symptoms faster than anything else we do. Then progressive gluteal loading. Shockwave therapy is well supported for this tendon when it has been stubborn.
Night pain often improves within weeks once compression is addressed. Full tendon capacity takes months.
Only the ones that make sense for this problem — listing all three on every page would be advertising, not information.
Acoustic pulses for tendon pain that has not settled. Read more.
Usually not, or not primarily. Imaging often shows bursal changes, but the tendon is the driver — which is why cortisone into the bursa gives short-lived relief and loading gives lasting change.
On your back, or on the unaffected side with a pillow between your knees so the top leg does not drop across. This one change frequently makes the biggest early difference.
Tendon tissue is sensitive to hormonal change, and gluteal tendinopathy is notably more common in women in their fifties. It is not inevitable and it responds to loading.
Not sure this is what you have? That is exactly what an assessment is for — and if it turns out to be something else, we will tell you.
Related: Hip osteoarthritis · Physiotherapy at Forge West End
No referral is needed for a private appointment. Bring one only if you are claiming through Medicare, DVA, WorkCover or insurance.
Unit 4, 249 Montague Road — a short run from South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, Dutton Park, Woolloongabba and South Bank, and from the CBD across the river.
Can’t get to the clinic? We also offer physiotherapy home visits across the same area, with travel included in the fee.
Book your assessment at Forge West End and start a plan built around your goals — not a generic exercise sheet.
Unit 4, 249 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101 · No referral needed for a private appointment · HICAPS on site
