What do you know about Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome?

If you have been reading our "Peek in our Week" posts that we post on Sunday afternoons then you know that I have been diligently following the Goofy Challenge training plan since it started back in July. It's a fairly easy plan and only calls for three runs a week, 2 short runs and a long run.  So far I've been able to handle this with little IT Band flare ups. However, my hips have been the source of my pain for a while now. 

Fortunately the hip pain does not impact my running as much as it impacts my day to day movement.  I am really sore each time I stand up after sitting down, and I am very sore each morning after a night's sleep.  But hey, this is better than IT Band syndrome, right?  I've been doing the stretches and I have even got the cortisone shots on both sides.

Well yesterday I went back to the doctor for more cortisone shots. Not only did my doctor say I was running too much, it was also determined that I  could possibly have Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome.  Which is basically bursitis in the outer thigh ( Greater Trochanter muscle) due to the bursae being inflamed.  If you've never heard of a bursae, it is a fluid filled sac which allows for smooth movement between two uneven surfaces ( bones). Repetitive movement ( like running) can cause it to become inflamed.

               After every run I make sure to stretch out on the playground equipment. This is a good move for IT Band pain and the Greater Trochanter muscle.

Here are a few facts I've found about Greater Trochanteric pain Syndrome:

It often occurs in people age 50 or older.
It can occur in younger people, especially runners.
It effects women more often then men.

Just like with most any running injury treatments can include:

Reduce activity
Rest
Ice
Anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen
Improve flexibility  ( lots of stretching)
Weight loss ( if you are over weight)

So after working really hard to get all my training runs in, I've come to realize that it is better to listen to your body then to always follow the training plan. So what if I miss one 45 minute run, I would rather have that extra day of rest if I feel I need it. Kristy from Runaway Bridal planner wrote a nice article yesterday about Runner Common Sense.  I'm going to take her advice!


Have you ever had pain in this area? How did you handle it?   -M