Gluteal Tendinopathy

What is gluteal tendinopathy?

Gluteal Tendinopathy is literally a pain in the butt. Not funny. Can be extremely debilitating. Can stop you sleeping well on the sore side. Can make walking a punish and going up steps a full blown crisis. Technically – it’s a tendon that gets overloaded and grouchy and mostly its a muscle called gluteus medius that is the criminal. Gluteal tendons have an unhappy marriage with hip bursitis and sometimes lower back pain. So it can end up being a cluster of clicking, clanking, close-to-calling-rude-words hip pain.

Why does gluteal tendinopathy happen?

Usually a weak bum. And a stiff hip. No offence is meant or judgement of your buttock shape and size, but weakness in the posterior really can cause a multitude of sins. Gluteal tendinopathy is much more common in middle-aged women (Discussing the reason for this requires a bottle of cabernet and 11/10 curiosity). An interesting fact about cause is that it can be either too much activity (overload) or too little activity (underload). Both under and over can lead to the tendon having a temper tantrum. So look out for periods of sustained inactivity (hello covid) or increased activity (you joined a hiking group).

What can you do about gluteal tendinopathy? Gluteal Tendinopathy Physiotherapy in Newcastle.

Steady as she goes – these dodgy bum issues need slow, gentle increases in strength. A good physio will help get your hip moving better, guide the rehab in a sensible way and reduce your pain.

How long will gluteal tendinopathy take?

I’ll be straight with you here – these can take a while. Tendons don’t heal quickly because their blood supply is low. And, you have to walk, so the gluteal tendon gets load just in normal life. So expect it to be 3 months before you see some decent results and possibly longer in long-term cases. But be hopeful! They get better!