Author: Mr Oliver Eaton BSc (Hons), PG.Cert – Orthopaedic Specialist
Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025
In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about outer hip pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Table of Contents for Outer Hip Pain
- Outer Hip Pain: What Should You Know?
- What Muscle is on the Outer Hip?
- Causes of Outer Hip Pain
- Diagnosis of Outer Hip Pain
- Treatment
- Prolotherapy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Outer Hip Pain: What Should You Know?
Lateral or outer hip pain, also known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), is pain on the outside of the hip that may radiate down to the outer thigh. It can arise suddenly due to overuse or gradually over time. Pain often resolves within six weeks, but women are more commonly affected, and symptoms can worsen with:
- Lying on the affected side at night
- Prolonged standing or walking
Additional symptoms may include hip weakness or discomfort during activities such as climbing stairs. Addressing underlying issues like altered gait due to foot problems (pain causes on side of foot) is essential. Conditions like cycling knee pain can mimic hip pain, emphasizing the need for proper diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan.
What Muscle is on the Outer Hip?
The hip joint is located where the femur (thigh bone) meets the pelvis. The bony prominence at the top of the femur is called the greater trochanter, a key attachment point for the gluteal muscles:
- Gluteus maximus (outermost)
- Gluteus medius (middle)
- Gluteus minimus (deepest)
These muscles stabilize the pelvis and move the hip joint. Gluteal tendons attach the gluteus medius and minimus to the greater trochanter. Damage to these tendons causes gluteal tendinopathy, the most common cause of GTPS and lateral hip pain.
Causes of Outer Hip Pain
Hip pain may originate from any tissue around the hip joint, including muscles, tendons, bursae, or cartilage. Overuse injuries like bursitis and tendonitis are common, particularly in athletes. Other contributors include:
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa, particularly trochanteric bursitis, causes radiating outer thigh pain.
Tendonitis
Inflammation or tearing of the gluteus medius tendon can produce outer hip pain.
Other Causes
- Osteoarthritis – more common in females
- Obesity: excess weight increases joint pressure and inflammation
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI): reduced hip range of motion
- Injury: trauma from accidents or falls
- Referred back pain: lower back issues causing hip and leg pain
Diagnosis of Outer Hip Pain
Physical examination is the first step, sometimes complemented by diagnostic tests such as:
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Blood tests to detect infection or rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Physical therapy
- Pain relief strategies
Pain management methods:
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen)
- Ice post-activity
- Heat application
- Staying physically active
- Corticosteroid injections
- Massage
Strengthening and stretching exercises:
- Marching: lift knees toward chest without exceeding 90°
- Hip abduction: lift leg sideways, keep hip aligned, lower slowly
- Hip extension: swing leg backward while holding a chair
- Heel to bottom: bring heel toward buttock
- Bridge: lift pelvis while lying down with knees bent
Stop exercises if pain is sharp or progressive. A physiotherapist can tailor exercises to the cause. Posture adjustments during sitting, standing, and sleeping can help. Rarely, surgery may be required.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is a minimally invasive regenerative treatment clinically proven to treat hip pain. It involves injecting a natural solution with tiny needles to stimulate collagen production, repairing damaged tissues and addressing the root cause of hip pain.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you fix outer hip pain?
Common methods include RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), exercise, NSAIDs, physical therapy, cortisone injections, and surgery in severe cases.
How do I know if my hip pain is serious?
Seek urgent medical attention if there is severe pain, swelling, inability to move, weight-bearing difficulty, or signs of infection.
What muscle is on the outside of the hip?
Gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus work together to stabilize and move the hip joint.
Why does my outer hip hurt after sitting?
Pain may arise from muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bone weakness due to prolonged sitting.
Is walking good for hip pain?
Regular walking strengthens hip muscles, improves flexibility, and can relieve pain.
What is the one-leg test for hip pain?
This test assesses hip pain severity by flexing one leg while arching the back. Pain reproduction indicates hip involvement.
References:
- Preston G. Lateral Hip Pain Patient Information and Exercises. East Lancashire Hospital. NHS. https://www.elht.nhs.uk/
- Coelho S. Outer hip pain: Causes, treatment, and outlook. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
- Frothingham S. Causes and Treatment Options for Outer Hip Pain. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Oliver Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating Outer hip pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with tibialis anterior tendonitis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany. Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.
Linkedin profile: Oliver Eaton
Contact ProHealth Clinic
Phone: +44 1234 380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
- London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
- Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
- Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics provide award-winning Prolotherapy treatments with flexible appointments, including evenings and weekends.
References:
- Preston G. Lateral Hip Pain Patient Information and Exercises. East Lancashire Hospital. NHS. https://www.elht.nhs.uk/ Outer hip pain: Causes, treatment, and outlook. Coelho S. Aug 2020. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
- Frothingham S. Causes and Treatment Options for Outer Hip Pain. healthline. Nov, 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.