What should you know about trochanter tendinitis?

The tendons of the gluteal muscles attach near the greater trochanter and help steady the pelvis during walking, stairs, and standing on one leg. A sudden increase in activity, repeated side-loading, weakness elsewhere, or prolonged compression from lying on the side can make these tendons painful. The term tendinopathy is also used because tendon symptoms may involve changes in load tolerance rather than simple inflammation.

Pain can be felt at the outer hip and may spread along the upper outer thigh. An examination assesses strength, gait, hip movement, and the back to distinguish tendon pain from bursal or joint symptoms.

Reduce sharp or repeated pain triggers, but keep easy movement. Avoid prolonged side-lying on the painful hip and break up long periods of sitting. A physiotherapist can prescribe graded loading for the hip and trunk, progressing from controlled exercises to walking, stairs, or sport demands. Strength training rehabilitation is often tailored to your current tolerance rather than a fixed routine.

Shockwave therapy or a PRP injection may be discussed in selected cases. These options require an individual assessment and do not replace a careful loading plan.

Arrange an assessment if outer-hip pain continues, disrupts sleep, or causes a limp. Seek prompt help after a fall if you cannot bear weight, or if pain comes with fever, redness, marked swelling, new numbness, or sudden weakness.

Which tendon is involved, and how was that determined? What load should I reduce first? Which exercises can I start now, and how will progression be judged? Would shockwave therapy or PRP add anything to rehabilitation in my case?