Lateral hip pain
What is Lateral hip pain
Lateral hip pain is a common presentation affecting both the young adult and those in middle to later life as we age. Although it can affect both men and women, it is particularly common in peri and post menopausal women, impacting almost one in every 4 women between the ages of 50 and 70 years.
It can have a profound impact on quality of life, affecting one’s ability to simply walk without pain, dress oneself, undertake social activities, work and sleep. The good news, however, is that the condition is very rarely serious and there are things that you can do to set you up for a successful recovery.
Lateral hip pain refers to pain felt over the bony point on the outer aspect of your upper thigh. It can be pinpoint to that area or it can be a more diffuse ache down the side of the thigh. It is often related to irritation of the tendon which attaches the buttock muscles (gluteals) to the thigh bone. This can lead to discomfort and pain. Commonly, when you have this kind of pain, it occurs on its own without any groin or buttock pain.
Historically there are several names that have, at times, been used to describe this such as Trochanteric bursitis, Greater trochanteric pain syndrome, Gluteal tendinopathy, External snapping hip (when it is accompanied by a clicking sensation), Iliotibial band syndrome (which can also affect the knee). What all these terms have in common is that they describe problems of the soft tissue on the side of the hip.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain over the bony point on the outer aspect of your upper thigh which may be tender when pressed.
- The area will also often feel stiff first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity (for example when arising after sitting for a while.)
- It may be hard to get comfortable at night when lying on either side.
- Walking may be painful, particularly uphills, stairs or on cambered and uneven terrain.
- Standing on one leg to dress may be painful.
- Pain, felt when starting an activity, often eases but then can increase if continued or when finished.
Factors that may play a role in the development of lateral hip pain include:
- A sudden increase or change in activity levels.
- Menopausal changes in women aged 40 to 60.
- An inactive lifestyle, causing weakness in the buttock muscles.
- Being overweight, particularly weight around the middle.
- Certain health conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
- Smoking.
- A direct fall onto the outer hip.
- Sometimes after hip replacement surgery.
- Lateral hip pain can also be triggered by life changes, including periods of stress, illness or the feeling run down.
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- You have severe hip pain after a fall or injury.
- You’re unable to walk or put weight on your leg.
- You have any tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg after an injury.
- You have severe hip pain and generally feel unwell and have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery.
4 facts about lateral hip pain
It is ok for it to be sore during exercise as you are training a sore area. The tendon needs time to adapt to new activity. Be regular and patient with training and gradually building up over time.
Evidence shows that loading the tendon (strengthening exercises which challenge them) is the best treatment for this condition.
Prolonged resting is not good for general health or for the health of the tendon. Tendons stay healthy by using them regularly and can work better by gradually using them more over time.
Lateral hip pain is a “clinical diagnosis”, i.e. one that is made in clinic with you and the physiotherapist, taking a careful history and testing the area. Routine scanning of the area is therefore not required. Scans also don’t predict how much pain you feel, and image findings are often unchanged when people do get better. Scans are usually only needed if you have suffered a traumatic injury such as a fall or when symptoms are atypical.