Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir

Do you often feel pain in your outer hip, upper thigh, or the side of your buttocks? At Liv Hospital, we know how much this pain can affect your life. Our team is here to help you with all the care and support you need.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common issue in the outer hip area. It tends to affect women and older adults more. Knowing the causes and treatments is key to getting better. Our medical experts will guide you through diagnosis and treatment, making sure you get the care you deserve.
Do you have pain on the outer hip or upper thigh? This pain can really affect your day. At Liv Hospital, we use our medical knowledge and care to help you figure out and fix these issues.
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a common reason for this pain. It’s more common in women and older people. It causes pain in the outer buttock and hip area. The pain comes from the gluteal tendons and bursa over the greater trochanter.
GTPS symptoms can last from weeks to months. How long it lasts depends on how bad it is and how well you follow treatment. Knowing about the anatomy and structures involved is key to diagnosing and treating GTPS well.
Knowing the anatomy of the hip, buttock, and thigh is key to diagnosing and treating pain. The hip area has bones, muscles, tendons, and bursae that work together. They help with movement and keep the area stable.
The hip joint connects the femur (thigh bone) with the pelvis. The greater trochanter on the femur is important for muscle and tendon attachment. The gluteal muscles, like the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus, are vital for hip movement and stability.
The gluteal tendons link these muscles to the greater trochanter. This allows for hip abduction and rotation. The bursae around the greater trochanter reduce friction, making movement smooth.
The greater trochanter is a key landmark in the hip area. It’s where the gluteal tendons attach. Inflammation or irritation of these tendons can cause pain near the hip.
The trochanteric bursa, between the greater trochanter and gluteal tendons, can also get inflamed. This leads to pain and discomfort.
The hip joint, gluteal muscles, tendons, and bursae work together for movement. This includes walking, running, and climbing stairs. Understanding their interaction is vital for diagnosing and treating buttock hip pain.
| Anatomical Structure | Function | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Trochanter | Attachment point for gluteal tendons | Trochanteric bursitis, tendonitis |
| Gluteal Tendons | Connect gluteal muscles to greater trochanter | Tendinopathy, tears |
| Trochanteric Bursa | Reduces friction between tendons and bone | Bursitis, inflammation |
The outer hip and buttock area can be a source of significant discomfort for many individuals. This is often due to a condition known as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). We will examine this condition in detail to understand its causes, risk factors, and duration.
GTPS is characterized by pain in the outer hip and buttock area. It is often associated with tenderness over the greater trochanter. This condition can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, making everyday activities challenging.
GTPS is more common in women and older adults. Individuals who engage in repetitive activities or have biomechanical issues are also at a higher risk. Understanding these risk factors can help in both prevention and early intervention.
GTPS can develop due to repetitive stress, trauma, or biomechanical issues. For instance, runners or cyclists may experience GTPS due to repetitive strain on the hip area. Individuals with poor posture or those who have had a traumatic injury to the hip may also develop this condition.
The duration of GTPS can vary significantly from one individual to another. Symptoms can last from several weeks to many months. With appropriate treatment and self-care strategies, many individuals can experience significant improvement. The recovery time can be influenced by factors such as the severity of the condition, effectiveness of treatment, and individual adherence to recommended therapies.
Understanding the duration and factors influencing GTPS is key for managing expectations and developing appropriate treatment strategies. We will continue to explore the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options in subsequent sections.
Pain on the side of the buttocks can stem from many issues. Knowing what causes this pain is key to treating it. We’ll look at the different factors that lead to this pain, helping you understand your condition better.
Direct trauma to the buttock area can cause pain on the side of the buttocks. This can happen from a fall, a blow to the area, or other impacts. The pain’s severity depends on the injury’s extent.
A bruise or contusion might cause pain that goes away with rest. But, more serious injuries like fractures or muscle damage need medical help.
Repetitive overuse injuries are a common cause of buttock pain. Activities like running or cycling can irritate and inflame the tissues. This is because they put repetitive stress on the hip and buttock area.
Such injuries often affect athletes or those who do strenuous activities without proper rest or training.
Gluteal muscle injuries, like strains and tears, can also cause pain. These injuries might happen from sudden muscle contraction, overstretching, or direct trauma.
The pain’s severity can range from mild to severe, depending on the muscle damage’s extent.
| Cause | Common Symptoms | Typical Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Trauma and Injury | Pain, bruising, swelling | Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) |
| Repetitive Overuse Injuries | Pain during activity, stiffness | Rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications |
| Gluteal Muscle Injuries | Pain, limited mobility, muscle weakness | Rest, physical therapy, stretching exercises |
Other medical conditions can also cause pain in the buttocks. These include sciatica, piriformis syndrome, and lumbar disc herniation.
Seeing a healthcare professional is important to find the cause of your pain and get the right treatment.
It’s important to know how pain in the hip, buttock, and thigh shows up. Pain here can come from different things, so it’s key to spot the signs and what causes it.
Pain at the top of the leg near the hip is common. This pain is often linked to greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). It usually feels on the outer side of the hip.
Walking or climbing stairs can make this pain worse. Sometimes, the pain spreads down the outside of the leg. This is called “pain in hip and down outside of leg.”
Pain in the outer hip and buttock can come from muscle strains, tendonitis, or bursitis. This pain is sharp or stabbing. It gets worse with hip movement.
Pain in the upper thigh and buttock might be from gluteal muscles or the sciatic nerve. This pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp, shooting pain.
Running, cycling, or climbing can make upper thigh buttock pain worse. Sometimes, you might also feel numbness or tingling.
Pain when walking, sitting, or climbing stairs is really tough. It can be from osteoarthritis, GTPS, or muscle strains.
“Pain is usually worse with activities that put weight on the affected area,” says a top orthopedic specialist.
Knowing what activities make pain worse is key to finding the right treatment.
To find out why you’re feeling pain in your outer thigh, hip, and buttock, a detailed check is needed. Doctors use a few steps to figure out what’s causing the pain. This helps them create a plan to fix it.
The first thing doctors do is a full physical check. They look at your medical history and check your body. They also see how well you can move your affected areas.
They might check for sore spots or do special moves to see if they make the pain worse. This helps them understand what’s going on.
Key parts of the physical check include:
Even with a physical check, doctors might need to use imaging tests to be sure. X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI are common tests. They help find things like broken bones, tendonitis, or bursitis.
An MRI can show soft tissues clearly. This is useful for finding issues like greater trochanteric pain syndrome or tears in the gluteal tendons.
Differential diagnosis is a big part of figuring out what’s wrong. Doctors look at many possible reasons for your pain. They make sure to rule out other issues that could be causing it.
This careful process helps doctors find the real cause of your pain. Then, they can make a plan to help you feel better and move better.
Pain in the hip and buttock area can be treated in many ways. The right treatment depends on the cause, how bad the pain is, and the patient’s health.
First, doctors often try conservative treatments for hip pain. These include:
Physical therapy is key in managing hip and thigh pain. Therapists create a plan to:
Doctors use different medicines for hip and buttock pain. These include:
For some, more detailed procedures are needed to find the pain’s cause. These include:
Every person’s case is different, and the best treatment often combines these methods. Working with healthcare experts, people can find relief from hip pain and improve their life quality.
There are many home remedies and self-care strategies to help with hip, buttock, and thigh pain. These methods are simple and can work well with medical treatments. We’ll look at different ways to manage pain and improve your life.
Resting and changing activities can help a lot. Avoiding high-impact activities like running or jumping can ease the pain. Try low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling to stay mobile without hurting your condition.
Changing your daily activities is also key. Taking breaks when sitting for a long time can help. Using a properly ergonomic chair can also make a big difference.
Hot and cold therapy can offer a lot of relief. Cold therapy reduces inflammation and numbs the pain. Heat therapy relaxes muscles and improves blood flow. Switching between hot and cold packs can be helpful, but talk to a healthcare provider first.
Supportive devices can help by reducing strain. A hip brace or support can offer stability and comfort. Using a cane or walking stick can also help take pressure off your hip and buttock when walking.
Gentle exercises and stretches can greatly help with pain. Stretching exercises improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension. Strengthening exercises support the hip and buttock area, which can lessen pain.
Start slowly and gently with exercises, gradually increasing intensity and duration. A physical therapist or healthcare provider can give you personalized advice on the best exercises for your condition.
By using these home remedies and self-care strategies, you can actively manage hip, buttock, and thigh pain. This can reduce discomfort and improve your quality of life.
To prevent pain in the outer hip and thigh, you need a few key steps. These include doing the right exercises, managing your weight, and making ergonomic changes. By following these tips, you can lower your chances of feeling pain in hip and outside of thigh.
Strengthening the muscles around your hip and thigh can help prevent pain. It’s important to use proper techniques to avoid injury. We suggest talking to a healthcare professional or physical therapist to create a workout plan that’s right for you.
Carrying extra weight can put extra stress on your hip and thigh, leading to pain. Keeping a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce this stress. This can prevent buttock hip pain.
Having an ergonomically set workspace and daily activities can prevent strain on your hip and thigh. This means adjusting your workspace to support good posture and taking breaks to move around.
Knowing when to get medical help for pain in top of thigh bone is important. If you have persistent or severe pain, or if it’s affecting your daily life, see a healthcare professional. They can evaluate and treat your condition properly.
By using these prevention strategies, you can lower your risk of outer hip and thigh pain. This helps you stay healthy and active.
We’ve looked into the hip, buttock, and thigh’s complex anatomy. We’ve talked about conditions like Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) and other common causes of pain. Knowing what causes side of buttocks pain and hip woman upper outer thigh pain is key to managing it well.
Pain in these areas can really affect our daily lives. But, there are many ways to treat it. From physical therapy and medicines to more invasive procedures, there are options. By understanding the causes and trying these treatments, people can find relief and live better.
Preventing pain is also important. This includes doing exercises right, staying at a healthy weight, and using ergonomic products. If you’re dealing with ongoing or severe pain, it’s important to see a doctor. They can help figure out the best treatment for you.
GTPS is a condition that causes pain in the outer buttock and hip. It often affects women and older adults. It happens when the gluteal tendons and surrounding bursa get inflamed or irritated.
The time GTPS lasts varies from person to person. It depends on how severe the condition is and how well treatment works. With the right care, many people see big improvements in a few weeks to months.
Pain in the side of the buttocks can come from many sources. These include injuries, repetitive strain, muscle injuries, and other health issues. Knowing the cause is key to finding the right treatment.
Doctors start by doing a detailed physical exam. They might also use X-rays or MRI scans to confirm the diagnosis and check for other possible causes.
Treatments vary. They can include physical therapy, medications, or even interventional procedures for severe pain. The right treatment depends on the cause and how bad the pain is.
Yes, you can prevent pain by exercising right, staying at a healthy weight, and working in ergonomic environments. Knowing when to see a doctor is also important for early treatment.
Home remedies include resting, using hot and cold therapy, and wearing supportive devices. Doing specific exercises and stretches can also help ease pain and improve function.
Physical therapy is very important in treating GTPS. It helps improve hip and buttock function, reduces pain, and boosts mobility. This is done through targeted exercises and stretches.
Keeping a healthy weight reduces stress and strain on the hip and thigh. This lowers the risk of getting conditions like GTPS and other musculoskeletal disorders.
You should see a doctor if the pain is severe, doesn’t go away, or gets in the way of your daily life. Early treatment can stop chronic pain and improve your outcome.
GTPS is a condition that causes pain in the outer buttock and hip. It often affects women and older adults. It happens when the gluteal tendons and surrounding bursa get inflamed or irritated.
The time GTPS lasts varies from person to person. It depends on how severe the condition is and how well treatment works. With the right care, many people see big improvements in a few weeks to months.
Pain in the side of the buttocks can come from many sources. These include injuries, repetitive strain, muscle injuries, and other health issues. Knowing the cause is key to finding the right treatment.
Doctors start by doing a detailed physical exam. They might also use X-rays or MRI scans to confirm the diagnosis and check for other possible causes.
Treatments vary. They can include physical therapy, medications, or even interventional procedures for severe pain. The right treatment depends on the cause and how bad the pain is.
Yes, you can prevent pain by exercising right, staying at a healthy weight, and working in ergonomic environments. Knowing when to see a doctor is also important for early treatment.
Home remedies include resting, using hot and cold therapy, and wearing supportive devices. Doing specific exercises and stretches can also help ease pain and improve function.
Physical therapy is very important in treating GTPS. It helps improve hip and buttock function, reduces pain, and boosts mobility. This is done through targeted exercises and stretches.
Keeping a healthy weight reduces stress and strain on the hip and thigh. This lowers the risk of getting conditions like GTPS and other musculoskeletal disorders.
You should see a doctor if the pain is severe, doesn’t go away, or gets in the way of your daily life. Early treatment can stop chronic pain and improve your outcome.
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