Condition guide
Hip Bursitis Physiotherapy
Treatment for lateral hip pain consistent with bursitis or gluteal tendon-related irritation.
Outer hip pain, often called hip bursitis, can involve the gluteal tendons as well as nearby bursae. This is commonly grouped as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). Assessment considers how sleeping, walking and stairs affect symptoms, while checking whether the hip joint, back or another problem needs attention.
This guide is general information and does not replace a clinical assessment.
Common Symptoms
Pain at the outer side of the hip
Pain when lying on the affected side
Discomfort with prolonged walking or stairs
Tenderness over the lateral hip region
Seek Prompt Medical Advice If You Have
Severe hip pain after trauma
Inability to weight-bear
Marked swelling, redness, or fever
Persistent night pain with systemic symptoms
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or seek urgent medical care.
Assessment
Discuss changes in walking, running, prolonged standing and sleeping positions before symptoms started.
Examine hip movement, local tenderness and strength around the side of the hip.
Observe walking and relevant tasks, such as steps or standing on one leg.
Consider hip-joint or back-related pain and whether medical assessment is needed.
Treatment
Adjust aggravating activities and positions without unnecessarily stopping all movement.
Introduce tolerable hip-strengthening exercises, progressing resistance as symptoms and function allow.
Practise tasks that matter to you, such as stairs or longer walks.
Review sleep, walking tolerance and exercise response before increasing the programme.
Aftercare & self-management
At your appointment, agree which exercises to do, how often to practise them and when to review your progress.
Avoid lying directly on the painful hip; try a pillow between your knees when side-lying.
Reduce leg-crossing or leaning on one hip if these positions provoke pain.
Split longer walks into manageable sections instead of repeatedly pushing through a flare-up.
Tell your physiotherapist if exercises cause lasting worsening or disturb your sleep.
Plan your visitClinic, prices, insurance and home visits
- Your clinic & directions
- Newham clinic, Plaistow
Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8SD
- Self-pay
£60 for a 30-minute physiotherapy appointment.
Prices & self-pay- Health insurance
Cover depends on your plan and chosen physiotherapist.
Insurance & cash-plan guidance
Would a home visit suit you better?
If getting to the clinic is difficult, explore physiotherapy at your visit address. Suitability depends on your condition, care needs, travel and the available clinician; the clinic price and insurance arrangements above do not automatically apply to home treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hip bursitis the same as hip arthritis?+
No. Symptoms can overlap, but these are different conditions. Assessment helps differentiate them.
Will strengthening worsen symptoms?+
Exercises can provoke symptoms, so the starting level and progression need to suit you. Report lasting worsening or increased night pain so the programme can be reviewed rather than pushing through it.
Can I keep walking for exercise?+
Usually yes, with temporary distance/intensity adjustment based on symptom response.
Related care and guides
Further reading
For public health information, self-care guidance and advice on when to seek medical help:
- NHS Dynamic Health: greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- Kingston and Richmond NHS: greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- NHS: Bursitis
About your care at Nexus: meet our physiotherapists and read our clinical governance information.