Gluteal Pain Syndrome - Assessment that separates common differentials

Lateral hip pain is often incorrectly diagnosed as “bursitis” and managed as an inflammatory condition.

Uzo Ehiogu, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in MSK Rehabilitation, shares 5 things to consider in your Physical Assessment.

What is symptom behaviour?

Does the patient have pain during side-lying activities, walking up and down stairs and/ or hills or during single leg tasks.

Where does it hurt? 

Use palpation and functional provocation tests targeting lateral hip structures.

Rule out other differentials

Screen for competing pathology such as a lumbar spine referral or a hip OA pattern with a focused physical examination.

When to Image

Imaging is reserved for atypical patterns, suspected tendon tear, or persistent failure to progress with high quality rehabilitation.

Find out more at our Young Adult Hip Study Day

Join us at our Young Adult Hip Study Day at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham, 25th March where we will cover practical assessment techniques in more detail and give you the practical tools and confidence to manage complex hip conditions like gluteal pain syndrome.

Sources: Disantis et al., 2023, J Hip Preserv Surg, doi:10.1093/jhps/hnac050. Mellor et al., 2018, BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj. k1662.