HIP BURSITIS TREATMENT ALBANY CREEK
Hip bursitis, more accurately called greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), causes pain on the outside of the hip that's often worse lying on that side, climbing stairs or after long walks. Most cases involve irritated gluteal tendons, not just the bursa, which is why treatment focuses on reducing tendon overload and rebuilding strength. At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek we treat GTPS with focused shockwave therapy, load management and structured rehab.
We help patients in Albany Creek, Strathpine, Warner, Eatons Hill, Aspley, Bridgeman Downs, Bracken Ridge, Carseldine and across North Brisbane assess and treat hip pain with a clear, practical plan.
What Is Hip Bursitis?
The bony point on the outside of your hip is called the greater trochanter. Several gluteal tendons attach here, cushioned by small fluid-filled sacs called bursae. When this area is overloaded, the tendons and bursa become irritated and painful. For years this was blamed on the bursa alone and called bursitis, but research shows the gluteal tendons are usually the main problem. That's why the condition is now called greater trochanteric pain syndrome, and why treatments that only target the bursa often disappoint.
Common Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
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Pain on the outer side of the hip, sometimes spreading down the outer thigh
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Pain lying on the affected side at night, often disturbing sleep
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Pain with stairs, hills, getting out of a car or standing on one leg
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Aching after long walks or standing, rather than during
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Tenderness when pressing on the bony point of the hip
Why Does It Happen?
GTPS develops when load on the gluteal tendons exceeds what they can tolerate. Common contributors include a sudden increase in walking or exercise, hip weakness, prolonged sitting with crossed legs, and habits that compress the tendons like standing with your hip pushed out to one side.
We also see GTPS more often in people with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, where joint laxity places ongoing stress on tendons, and in women over 40, where tendon changes make the area more sensitive to load. Foot and leg mechanics matter too: the way you walk can increase compression at the hip, which is where podiatry assessment comes in.
How We Assess Hip Pain
Your appointment starts with a detailed history: where the pain is, what aggravates it, how it started. We then assess hip strength, single-leg control, walking pattern and footwear, and check whether other conditions like knee osteoarthritis or referred back pain could be contributing. The goal is a clear answer about which structure is overloaded and why, because that determines the treatment plan.
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We also check whether hip osteoarthritis could be contributing. Osteoarthritis more commonly causes groin pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion, although overlap can occur. Where osteoarthritis is part of the picture, focused shockwave has emerging evidence for reducing pain and supporting function, although it does not reverse joint degeneration.
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Sometimes further imaging such as a hip ultrasound may be required. Your podiatrist would discuss this with you at your appointment and would be to gain further clarification on the extent of your injury if required.
How We Treat Hip Bursitis
Focused Shockwave Therapy
Focused shockwave is well-researched for chronic GTPS. It reaches the deeper tissue at the hip that radial devices can't, stimulating blood flow and tissue repair while helping settle pain sensitivity. Our clinic uses EMS Dolorclast focused and radial systems, and for hip pain the focused unit does the heavy lifting.
Load Management
Reducing the positions and habits that compress the tendons (side sleeping without a pillow between the knees, crossing legs, hanging on one hip) often brings early relief while the tissue settles.
Strength and Loading Program
Gluteal tendons respond to progressive loading, not rest. A staged strengthening program rebuilds the tendon's capacity so pain doesn't return the moment you get active again.
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Programs typically progress through exercises like clamshells, side-lying leg raises, standing hip abduction and single-leg balance work, staged to what your tendons currently tolerate.
Footwear and Biomechanics
Excessive foot pronation can increase internal rotation through the leg, altering how forces travel through the hip. Where this is contributing, footwear changes or custom foot orthotics can reduce the load pattern driving the problem.
How Long Does Hip Bursitis Take to Heal?
Milder cases often settle within a few weeks once aggravating positions are addressed. More persistent cases involving tendon pathology typically take six to twelve weeks of structured treatment. With focused shockwave, many people report improvement within the first few sessions, and we reassess your progress as the course continues.
FAQS
Do podiatrists treat hip pain?
Yes. Podiatrists assess and treat lower limb conditions including GTPS, particularly where walking mechanics contribute to the problem. Our clinic also offers focused shockwave, which is well-researched for this condition.
Why does my hip hurt more at night?
Lying on your side compresses the gluteal tendons and bursa against the bone. A pillow between your knees reduces this compression and often improves sleep while treatment takes effect.
How many shockwave sessions will I need?
Most tendon-related conditions are treated over several weekly sessions, then reassessed. Your podiatrist will map this out at your first appointment.
Is rest the best treatment for hip bursitis?
Usually not. Complete rest lets the tendons weaken further. Modifying aggravating positions while progressively strengthening the area gives better long-term results.
Do cortisone injections fix GTPS?
Injections can reduce pain short term but don't address the tendon overload underneath. Repeated injections may also weaken tendon tissue over time, which is why they are not always the best long-term strategy.
Evidence favours exercise-based rehab and shockwave for lasting improvement. We can discuss all options at your assessment.
Book Your Hip Pain Assessment
If outer hip pain is disturbing your sleep or limiting your walking, an assessment gives you a clear diagnosis and a plan. As a guide, outer hip pain that has lasted more than two weeks warrants an assessment. Book online or call us on 07 3088 6116.