Does shockwave therapy treat trochanteric bursitis?

Trochanteric bursitis, also called lateral hip pain or greater trochanteric pain syndrome, causes pain over the outside of the hip. Walking upstairs, lying on that side, standing on one leg, or crossing the legs may aggravate it. Several tissues can contribute, including the bursa and nearby gluteal tendons, so treatment should be directed at the actual pain source.

Shockwave therapy delivers pulses through the skin to a selected region. It may be used when symptoms persist, but it is not a substitute for checking hip movement, strength, gait, and other possible causes such as back-related pain. A gradual strengthening programme often forms the main part of recovery.

Arrange an assessment if outer-hip pain is affecting walking, sleep, or everyday tasks. Reduce direct pressure on the painful side and avoid sudden increases in running, stairs, or hills while keeping comfortable movement. Ask how to build hip abductor strength and how shockwave sessions would fit around those exercises. Mention pregnancy, medicines, skin problems, or other health conditions before treatment.

Seek prompt care for inability to bear weight, a major fall, a hot swollen hip with fever, rapidly increasing redness, or new leg weakness or numbness. Arrange a review if pain persists, spreads, or repeatedly wakes you despite activity changes and rehabilitation.

Ask which structure is causing the pain, whether imaging is needed, what positions to avoid, and how you will know that exercises or shockwave therapy are helping.