How to treat hip tendonitis?

Tendinitis is a condition that affects the tendons. It can affect all joints. Hip tendonitis, less known than that of the elbow, wrist or Achilles tendon, is very painful. It is disabling and can make walking uncomfortable.

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis or tendinopathy is an inflammation of the tendon (a fibrous cord that allows the muscle to insert into the bone). It can affect all joints: shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, etc. In principle, tendinitis results from a repeated movement requiring great force. This is why it largely affects athletes and physical workers. Moreover, tendinitis is the most common occupational disease according to the federal occupational risks agency or Fedris (2017 statistics).

Part of the tendinopathy family, hip tendinitis can affect one of the tendon structures attached to the femur, namely, the gluteus minimus, the gluteus medius and the lateral blade of the gluteus medius. It is most often pain in the gluteus medius. Hip tendonitis is often confused with sciatica or hip osteoarthritis.

Note that hip tendinitis most often affects women, especially those who are postmenopausal.

What are the symptoms of hip tendonitis?

The first warning sign of hip tendinitis is sharp pain in the hip, more specifically on the lateral side of the upper thigh. The person who suffers from it feels the pain when they walk or when they get up after a certain period of sitting or lying down. It may also happen that she suffers when she sleeps on the affected side. Generally, going up stairs is difficult, if not impossible, while going down stairs poses no problem. At rest, the pain stops, unlike hip osteoarthritis.

However, even severe hip pain is not enough to determine that you have hip tendinitis. To make a precise diagnosis, the doctor will carry out a series of tests, in particular a reproduction of the pain by palpation of the sore leg while the patient is resting on this leg or by abduction of the leg.

He will also ask you questions, including your history, the type of pain (diffuse or localized), associated signs, etc.

Finally, the doctor may ask you for additional examinations, including an x-ray of the pelvis in front and the hips in profile. If necessary, he will ask you to do an ultrasound or MRI.

How long does hip tendonitis last?

On average, tendinitis lasts between several weeks to several months if treatment is delayed or if treatment is not appropriate. Hence the importance of consulting a healthcare professional as soon as you feel unusual pain (sharp or moderate) in the hip.

How much downtime for hip tendinitis?

In the event of hip tendinitis, complete cessation of the activities causing the pain is recommended. After treatment and as soon as the pain is more tolerable, it is possible to gradually return to sport, but in moderation at the risk of having a relapse. Either way, listen to your body. It is the most reliable indicator of your state of health.

How to sleep with hip tendinitis?

Since the pain from hip tendinitis can be felt when sleeping on the affected side, it is recommended to sleep on your back, face down or on the opposite side.

What are the causes of hip tendonitis?

The main cause of hip tendonitis is repeated movement of the tendon. But not only. Indeed, excessive walking can also cause this pathology. This is the case with a hike.

Furthermore, hip tendinitis can also be caused by unequal length of the two legs leading to lameness. This poor support on the feet strains the tendons asymmetrically, which causes hip pain.

In addition, a posture problem as well as other pathologies can be the cause of hip tendinitis:

• Scoliosis: it can lead to asymmetrical traction of the pelvis and the tendons surrounding it.
• Hip osteoarthritis.

Other causes can also be at the origin of this pain in the gluteus medius, including the practice of a sporting activity not adapted to age or physical condition.

How to avoid hip tendinitis in the future?

It is perfectly possible to avoid hip tendinitis in the future. To do this, here are some basic rules to apply in your daily life:

• do not overstrain the muscle: as soon as you feel pain during a sporting activity or a long walk, rest
• drink before, during and after sporting activity
• drink at least 1.5 liters per day. Not only is it good for your tendons, but it's also good for your overall health
• wear appropriate shoes during sporting activity.

How to treat hip tendinitis?

There are several ways to treat tendinitis .

The medical treatment of hip tendinitis is primarily based on physiotherapy. The treatment by the professional generally lasts six sessions lasting approximately eight weeks. Transverse massages and vascularization are on the program.

Furthermore, the healthcare professional will also promote the patient's autonomy by giving them a self-rehabilitation program and muscle strengthening exercises.

Physiotherapy is also a medical treatment that can be implemented. The physiotherapist can then practice radial shock waves while the doctor will practice focal shock waves.

Additionally, if hip tendinopathy is due to scoliosis or pelvic imbalance, wearing orthotic insoles is recommended.

What to do to relieve hip tendinitis?

Several simple actions can help you relieve gluteus medius pain:

• Resting the muscle
• Taking a painkiller. In the event of persistent pain, corticosteroid injection may be considered.
• Applying ice to the sore area
• Self-massage with a massage gun