Also known as trochanteric bursitis, greater trochanteric pain syndrome typically presents with hip pain that can radiate down the lateral thigh and buttocks and occasionally to the lateral knee. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome has a prevalence of 4.22/1000 person-years and an incidence rate of 3.29/1000 person-years. However, there is no consensus on optimal management and its physiopathology remains unknown.
In addition to sharp pain, other symptoms include difficulty walking, joint stiffness, swelling, and catching and clicking sensation. Sufferers may experience pain more when getting up after sitting for a long time, walking up stairs, or lying on the affected side. Causes of greater trochanteric pain syndrome are diverse, including overuse, stress, falling injuries, bone spurs, arthritis, foot issues, spine problems, and more.
Treatment for greater trochanteric pain syndrome consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, platelet-rich plasma, and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is used for recalcitrant cases where nonoperative management has failed.
Shockwave therapy, which uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate metabolism and enhance blood circulation, has recently gained attention as a non-surgical treatment option for greater trochanteric pain syndrome. A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery assessed its effectiveness.
Researchers divided 103 patients into two groups. Both groups received similar exercise protocols, and one group received shockwave therapy while the control group received sham treatment. Both groups were treated with three weekly sessions and were assessed at baseline then one, two, three, and six months after treatment.
Researchers used a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at two months for the primary outcome. For the secondary outcomes, researchers used the Harris hip score (HHS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), EuroQoL-5 Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D), and Roles and Maudsley score.
At two months, there was a significant difference in VAS scores, as the shockwave therapy group decreased by over four points compared to the control group, which decreased by only 1.5. The shockwave therapy group also had significantly better results in all secondary outcomes, except for the LEFS one month after treatment.
Researchers concluded that shockwave therapy was a safe and effective treatment for greater trochanteric pain syndrome in association with exercise.
Shockwave therapy can also treat hip conditions such as tendinopathy and nonunions. Shockwave Canada is the exclusive distributor of industry leading Storz shockwave therapy machines in Canada. Our practitioners have over twenty years of experience and offer 24/7 medical support.
Call 1 (888) 741-SHOC(7462) or visit our website to learn more about integrating the long-term benefits of shockwave therapy into your practice.
