Analgesia for greater trochanteric pain syndrome

For pain associated with greater trochanteric pain syndrome, analgesia using paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be considered if required (eg for trochanteric bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy); see Analgesia for soft-tissue limb conditions.

For people with more severe symptoms suggestive of inflammation (eg night pain, impaired physical function, inability to lie on the affected side), consider local corticosteroid injection. Local corticosteroid injection can relieve pain in the short term and improve the person’s ability to undertake an exercise program. Local corticosteroid injection may be considered instead of, or in combination with, an NSAID. See Practice points on the administration of local corticosteroid injection for greater trochanteric pain syndrome for practice points on the administration of local corticosteroid injection for greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

Figure 1. Practice points on the administration of local corticosteroid injection for greater trochanteric pain syndrome
  • Local corticosteroid injection can provide short-term pain relief for people with gluteal tendinopathy or greater trochanteric bursitis, with symptoms of greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
  • Give the local corticosteroid injection at the point of maximum tenderness.
  • Peritendinous corticosteroid injection is appropriate.
  • Avoid intratendinous corticosteroid injection.
  • Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for these conditions is not recommended because it provides no additional benefit compared to landmark-guided corticosteroid injection.
  • Local corticosteroid injection may be repeated if required.
  • In general, local corticosteroid injections should not be performed more than twice per year.
  • Failure to have any response to local corticosteroid injection should raise suspicion of a gluteal tear or alternative diagnosis.

For principles of use and example doses of local corticosteroid injections, see Principles of using local corticosteroid injections for musculoskeletal conditions in adults.