Réhabital
Gluteal Tendinopathy Treatment
Pain on the side of the hip that wakes you when lying on that side is most often gluteal tendinopathy, not an isolated bursitis as was once believed.
Book an AppointmentUnderstanding This Condition
The gluteus medius and minimus tendons attach on the greater trochanter. Repeated compression of these tendons against the bone, encouraged by positions such as crossing the legs, standing hanging on one hip or side sleeping without a pillow, produces a painful tendinopathy. It particularly affects women aged 40 to 60 and runners. The nearby bursa can become secondarily inflamed, hence the older label of trochanteric bursitis.
Common Symptoms
Common Causes
Tendon compression
Crossing the legs or hanging on one hip compresses the tendon against the trochanter.
Abductor weakness
A weak gluteus medius overloads its own tendon while walking.
Sudden activity increase
A rapid return to walking or running exceeds tendon capacity.
Hormonal change
Perimenopause alters tendon quality and raises risk.
Our Treatment Approach
The first step is removing compression: no leg crossing, corrected standing posture, a pillow between the knees at night. We then load the tendon progressively, starting with abduction isometrics, then weight bearing work from bridging to single leg exercises and step ups. Walking technique is corrected to avoid excessive femoral adduction. Manual therapy and massage ease the fascia lata and surrounding tissue, while osteopathy assesses the pelvis, lumbar spine and ankle. Aggressive adduction stretching is avoided because it increases compression.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
An eight to twelve week programme. Night pain often improves within three to four weeks once compression is removed.
At-Home Self-Care Tips
- Sleep with a pillow between the knees.
- Do not cross the legs when sitting.
- Avoid standing hanging on one hip.
- Do abduction isometrics daily.
- Temporarily reduce hills and stairs.
Prognosis & Recovery Timeline
With correct load management most patients improve markedly within three months. Longstanding cases can need six months of progression.
When to See Us at Réhabital
Come in if lateral hip pain lasts more than three weeks or regularly disturbs your sleep.
Why Réhabital Clinic
We apply validated tendinopathy loading protocols rather than rest and anti-inflammatories alone.
Recommended Services for This Condition
Our Core Treatments in Côte Saint-Luc
Related Conditions
Why Choose Réhabital?
Frequently Asked Questions
Address
D4-5800 Cavendish Blvd
Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 2T5
Phone
(438) 842-3550Hours
Mon–Fri: 10AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–4PM
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