Gluteal Tendinopathy, Causes And Treatment
Gluteal tendinopathy, also known as trochanteric bursitis, is one of the causes of hip pain. It is an inflammation of the tendons caused by different factors. Why does it occur and how can it be treated?
It is usually caused by the continuous repetition of microtrauma. It is a condition that often affects sportsmen, such as marathon runners.
Constant friction in this area leads to a state of tissue distress and inflammation of the serous or synovial bags. But it’s not just athletes who suffer from trochanteric bursitis. Other factors, in fact, can favor its appearance.
Gluteal tendinopathy: who can it affect?
Being sporty, running marathons, or playing football can predispose to trochanteric bursitis. There are, however, other triggers. With proper treatment, however, this condition can be prevented from becoming chronic.
- Obesity. The pressure on the hip exerted by being overweight is one of the possible causes.
- Fibromyalgia. Muscle stiffness caused by this disease can promote friction in the area and cause gluteal tendinopathy.
- Arthritis of the hip. Undoubtedly it is one of the triggers due to the related inflammation.
- Gonarthrosis. Knee cartilage degeneration can lead to this type of tendinopathy.
If you present one of these triggers, you fall into the risk category; however, this does not mean that the disease will manifest itself. At this point, it is important to know the symptoms of gluteal tendonitis in order to be able to intervene promptly.
Symptoms of trochanteric bursitis
Gluteal tendinopathy causes several symptoms that can be confused with other disorders. For this reason, even if the discomfort is mild at first, it is best to ask your doctor for advice. In this way you can start an adequate treatment right away and prevent the pain from intensifying as the days go by.
- Dry noise and pain.
- Joint stiffness.
- Difficulty walking.
- Pain that extends to the front or inside of the thigh.
- Pain in the ischial tuberosity area that extends to the buttock.
As we have seen, hip pain is the characteristic symptom, sometimes accompanied by a sharp noise. The irradiation of pain to the front, back, or inner thigh, sometimes to the knee, depends on the activities or movements capable of causing the friction and inflammation of the serous bursae.
Some individuals, for example, experience pain in the groin (radiating to the front of the thigh) when they stretch the hip too far. In addition, those who spend a lot of time sitting often have the last of the listed symptoms, pain in the ischial tuberosity area.
Treatment
If gluteal tendinopathy is diagnosed (by radiography, ultrasound, tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging), a weight loss diet may be recommended if the cause is overweight. However, the specialist can also prescribe analgesic treatment to calm the pain and inflammation.
Specific exercises that help strengthen the buttocks and hips area are also useful. Likewise , the importance of not sleeping on the side of the tendinopathy is emphasized, as it would make the situation worse.
In some cases, the extraction of fluid from the serous bags or an infiltration of anesthetic and corticosteroid can give good results.
What to do in case of gluteal tendinopathy symptoms?
If you have recognized any symptoms, do not hesitate to go to the doctor. You will be prescribed diagnostic tests and treatment, as this condition is easily treatable.
