Struggling with pain on the outside of your hip in Warrington?
Lateral hip pain (GTPS) treatment in Warrington — specialist hip tendon care
If you're finding it difficult to:
- Walk without outer hip pain building with every step
- Lie on your side without hip pain waking you at night
- Climb stairs without the outside of the hip aching
You’re not alone — and you don’t have to just put up with it. Lateral hip pain — also known as gluteal tendinopathy or Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) — occurs when the gluteal tendons at the outer hip become overloaded and irritated. These tendons attach the gluteal muscles to the top of the thigh bone (greater trochanter) and help stabilise the pelvis during walking and single-leg activities.
Good News
The good news
Most cases of lateral hip pain improve significantly with physiotherapy and the right loading programme — without injections or surgery. Shockwave therapy is available at our clinic and is particularly effective for GTPS that hasn’t responded to conventional treatment.
Symptoms
Does this sound like you?
Pain on the outer side of the hip — sometimes the buttock or outer thigh
Pain when lying on the affected side at night
Pain with walking — particularly after longer distances
Pain climbing stairs or when standing on one leg
Tenderness when pressing the side of the hip
Pain that comes and goes and is often worst after periods of increased activity
If any of these sound familiar, a physiotherapy assessment will tell you exactly what’s happening — and what will help.
Why it persists
Why does lateral hip pain / GTPS become a long-term problem?
GTPS is one of the most mismanaged conditions in musculoskeletal practice. Patients are frequently given advice that makes it significantly worse — stretching the ITB, crossing the legs, sitting with the hip adducted. These all increase compression on the tendon. The correct approach is specific loading combined with modifying the positions and movements that compress the tendon against the bone.
Who gets lateral hip pain / GTPS?
- Adults aged 40–70
- Women more than men
- Runners and active individuals
- People who stand or walk for long periods
- Those who have recently increased activity levels
- People with weak hip muscles
Common causes
- Overload of the gluteal tendons at their attachment point
- Weak gluteal and hip stabilising muscles
- Sudden increase in walking or activity
- Sleeping positions that compress the outer hip
- Poor movement patterns and hip control
- Previous hip or knee injuries altering load distribution
Self-help
Simple steps that may help
01
Avoid lying directly on the painful side
02
Stop crossing the legs when seated
03
Don’t sit with the hip dropped in (avoid adducted positions)
04
Place a pillow between the knees when sleeping
If symptoms persist beyond 2–3 weeks, physiotherapy assessment is recommended.
When to seek help
When should you get help?
- Hip pain lasting more than 2–3 weeks
- Pain worsening rather than settling
- Sleep being regularly disturbed
- Walking or stairs becoming difficult
Early treatment = faster recovery. Most patients start to notice improvement within the first few sessions.
Red flags
Red flag symptoms
- Severe hip pain following a fall or injury
- Sudden inability to bear weight on the leg
- Significant swelling around the hip
- Unexplained night pain or weight loss
These symptoms require GP review to exclude other causes.
Treatment
How we treat lateral hip pain / GTPS at SHPW
At our clinic in Stockton Heath, Warrington, we use evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific condition
Hands-on physiotherapy
Targeted gluteal and tendon loading programme
Shockwave therapy
Clinically effective for GTPS and gluteal tendinopathy
EMTT
For deep tendon recovery in persistent cases
Movement coaching
Identifying and removing the positions and movements compressing the tendon
Gait assessment
Correcting the walking pattern that’s overloading the hip
Start fixing your lateral hip pain today
If your symptoms have lasted more than 2–3 weeks, they’re unlikely to go away on their own. The sooner you start treatment, the faster you recover.
Full appointment
Full Physiotherapy Assessment
A detailed diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan, ready to start straight away.
Free, no obligation
Free 15-Minute Discovery Visit
A quick chat to understand your problem, answer your questions and point you in the right direction. No obligation.
or call 01925 266881 · Monday–Saturday · No GP referral needed
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