Shock Wave Therapy for Lateral Hip Pain, Caused by Tendon Pathology

Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome With Gluteal Tendinopathy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this randomized controlled study is to investigate if focal shock wave is an effective treatment, with respect to hip pain and lower limb function, in a population affected by greater trochanteric pain syndrome with gluteal tendinopathy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• duration of lateral hip pain of six weeks or longer,
• normal passive hip range of movement (ROM),
• sonographic evidence of gluteal tendinopathy at their insertional site at the greater trochanter

Exclusion Criteria:

• general contraindication to extracorporeal shock wave therapy (pacemaker, pregnancy, bleeding disorders or anticoagulant drug usage, cancer in the focal area),
• history of rheumatologic disease,
• previous fractures or surgery in the affected limb,
• full thickness tear of the gluteal tendons,
• osteoarthritis of the hip (with ROM limitation),
• clinical signs of lumbar radiculopathy,
• corticosteroid injections or other conservative therapies (except pharmacological pain treatments) since the onset of the current pain episode.