Gluteal Tendinopathy Treatment
We treat gluteal tendinopathy injuries with evidence based treatments in Newcastle.
Fitness Physiotherapy in Newcastle treat gluteal tendinopathy injuries with evidence based treatments for pain relief and return to sport and daily activities. Evidence based treatments have been shown to be effective through clinical research, giving people a successful return to sport and life.
Gluteal tendon anatomy
The hip is a ball and socket joint, made up of the acetabulum (socket) and femoral head (ball). In between the two bones is cartilage. Ligaments and a surrounding capsule hold the joint together, keeping the joint stable with the muscles and tendon which also provides the movement.
The gluteal muscle connects to the side of the hip bone called the greater trochanter. The gluteal tendon works with the muscles in the buttocks area to move the hip and stabilse that area during movements.
How does the tendon become injured?
Gluteal tendons can become torn resulting in pain with reduced strength and function. It can be torn with sudden excessive or smaller repetitive forces where the tendon structure isn't strong enough to meet the demands of the thigh muscle contractions.
Gluteal tendon tears can appear as trochanteric bursitis (inflamed trochanteric bursa), but recent research shows the bursitis is a symptom of a torn gluteal tendon.
What is the treatment for gluteal tendon tears?
Gluteal tendon strains respond very well to physiotherapy. The time for recovery is dependent on the degree and location of the tear. It is important to get the right physiotherapy and rehab as no tears and people are the same. Programs have to be individually tailored and progressed based on milestones achieved.
A recent study undertaken at the University of Queensland has shown promising results.
As can be seen from the diagram, a program of education on load management plus exercise had better results than compared to the corticosteroid group and the no treatment group.
