clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

The syndrome typically presents with chronic, persistent pain in the lateral hip and/or buttock

• onset of pain can be acute or subacute in some occasions
• the pain may be described by the patient as sharp and intense (2)
• maybe aggravated by:
  • lying on the affected side
  • standing for a long time or while changing to a standing position
  • going up the stairs, running or other high impact physical activities
• may radiate to the lateral part of the thigh (in 25-40% of patients) (1)
• in few patients pain may be seen in the low back area or around the knee initially but the typical pain pattern usually appear later (2)

Reference:

• 1. Williams BS, Cohen SP. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a review of anatomy, diagnosis and treatment. Anesth Analg. 2009;108(5):1662-70
• 2. Shbeeb MI, Matteson EL. Trochanteric bursitis (greater trochanter pain syndrome). Mayo Clin Proc. 1996;71(6):565-9