Shock Wave Therapy Plus Exercise in GTPS

Shock Wave Therapy Combined With Strengthening Exercise of Hip Abductor Muscles in the Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this randomized controlled study is to investigate if the sequential administration of focused shock wave therapy and of a rehabilitation program based on the strengthening of gluteal muscles is more effective than a standard shock wave treatment for greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Inclusion Criteria:

• Unilateral hip pain of four weeks or longer duration
• Pain to palpation in the greater trochanteric area at physical examination
• Pain in hip end-range abduction/rotation/adduction at physical examination
• Gluteal tendinopathy, in absence of full thickness tears at a sonographic examination of the gluteal tendons
• Adult age and written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• No hip osteoarthritis, diagnosed according to Altman's criteria
• No history of knee osteoarthritis
• No history of rheumatologic diseases
• No previous fractures or surgery in the affected limb
• No clinical signs of lumbar radiculopathy at physical examination
• No corticosteroid injections, since the onset of the current pain episode
• No general contraindication to shock wave therapy (pregnancy, bleeding disorders or anticoagulant drug usage, cancer in the focal area)