Gluteal tendinopathy causes pain on the outside of the hip, worse lying on that side, climbing stairs or standing on one leg. The LEAP trial (Mellor, BMJ 2018) found education plus exercise worked better than a cortisone injection at 8 weeks and 1 year.
What helps
- Avoid crossing legs and hanging on one hip
- Pillow between knees at night
- Progressive hip abductor strengthening
- PRP for persistent cases
Tendon pain for more than 3 months? Get the free guide and a doctor review of your scan.
Symptoms
- Pain on the outside of the hip, sometimes down the outer thigh
- Pain lying on that side at night
- Pain climbing stairs or standing on one leg
Who gets it
Most common in women over 40, people who sit cross-legged or stand with a hip pushed out, and runners with weak hip muscles.
Treatment options
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Stem cell injectionRecommended | Regenerative option for persistent pain |
| PRP | Option for persistent pain |
| Education and exercise | Beat cortisone in the LEAP trial |
| Cortisone | Short-term relief only |
Tendon pain for more than 3 months? Get the free guide and a doctor review of your scan.
Daily habits that help
- Pillow between the knees at night
- Stand with weight on both feet
- Avoid crossing your legs and low chairs
