Clinically proven shockwave therapy for trochanteric bursitis, gluteus medius tendinopathy, and greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
Effective for chronic lateral hip pain that hasn't resolved with rest, physiotherapy, or cortisone injections.
Understanding Hip Pain
Persistent lateral hip pain — pain on the outer side of the hip, often radiating down the outer thigh — is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints seen in adults over 40. It is particularly prevalent in women and in runners, though it affects a wide range of people regardless of activity level.
The condition is most accurately described as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) — an umbrella term that encompasses both trochanteric bursitis (inflammation of the bursa overlying the greater trochanter of the femur) and tendinopathy of the gluteus medius or gluteus minimus tendons at their insertion into the greater trochanter.
Modern imaging studies have shown that isolated bursitis is far less common than previously thought. In the majority of GTPS cases, the primary pathology is gluteus medius or gluteus minimus tendinopathy — degenerative change at the tendon insertion, with secondary bursal involvement. This distinction matters because it changes what treatments are likely to work.
Cortisone injection into the bursa provides rapid but typically temporary relief in GTPS. Because the primary pathology is tendinopathy rather than isolated bursitis, the injection does not address the structural change in the tendon — and symptoms return in the majority of patients within 3–6 months. Shockwave therapy directly targets the tendon insertion, stimulating the biological repair process that produces lasting change.
Characteristic features of GTPS include: pain lying on the affected side at night, pain when crossing the legs or climbing stairs, tenderness directly over the greater trochanter, and lateral hip pain worsened by walking uphill or running.
Important: Avoid Compressive Loading During Treatment
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is worsened by compressive loading of the lateral hip. During treatment we advise patients to avoid crossing legs, sitting on low chairs, and sleeping on the affected side. These modifications are as important as the treatment sessions themselves for optimal recovery.
The Treatment
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) delivers focused acoustic pulses through the skin to the greater trochanter, targeting the gluteus medius and minimus tendon insertions. At the cellular level, these pulses trigger:
The net effect is genuine tendon healing — not the temporary anti-inflammatory suppression provided by cortisone. This is why, at 15-month follow-up in the landmark Rompe et al. BMJ study, shockwave therapy produced significantly better outcomes than either cortisone injection or a home exercise programme alone.
Non-invasive
Preserves tendon integrity
Per session
Resume same day
You will be positioned lying on your side with the affected hip accessible. Ultrasound gel is applied to the greater trochanter area and the shockwave applicator is placed on the skin. You will feel rapid acoustic pulses — a tapping or vibration sensation over the hip. Sessions last 15–20 minutes.
No anaesthetic is required. Mild soreness over the greater trochanter for 24–48 hours after each session is a normal part of the healing response. We advise avoiding compressive hip positions (crossing legs, lying on the treated side) for 48 hours after each session.
Clinical Evidence
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is one of the most robustly studied indications for shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal medicine. The landmark evidence comes from Rompe and colleagues' randomised controlled trial, published in the British Medical Journal, which compared ESWT directly against cortisone injection and a home training programme.
At 15-month follow-up, ESWT produced significantly superior outcomes on both the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) score and pain measures compared with cortisone injection — confirming that shockwave therapy not only works, but produces more durable improvement than the most widely used existing treatment.
Landmark RCT evidence published in British Medical Journal
Follow-up confirming durability of improvement
To cortisone injection at long-term follow-up
The evidence base for ESWT in GTPS is particularly compelling when considered alongside the well-documented decline in cortisone injection outcomes over time. While cortisone produces rapid initial pain reduction, published data show that approximately 60–70% of patients who receive cortisone injection for GTPS see their symptoms return within 6 months. Shockwave therapy's structural approach to tendon repair avoids this recurrence pattern.
Dr Bahl assesses each patient to confirm the diagnosis of GTPS, distinguish between bursitis- dominant and tendinopathy-dominant presentations, and determine the appropriate shockwave protocol for their specific clinical picture.
Suitability
If you are uncertain about your hip diagnosis, we can review at your free consultation. Existing MRI or ultrasound reports are helpful but not required.
What to Expect
Dr Bahl reviews your symptoms, onset, activity history, and any prior treatments or imaging. He confirms the GTPS diagnosis and distinguishes between the tendinopathy-dominant and bursitis-dominant presentations to plan the correct protocol.
A course of 3–6 weekly sessions is designed around your presentation. We also advise on load modification strategies — such as avoiding compressive hip positions — which are a critical adjunct to treatment. Costs are confirmed before any commitment.
15–20 minutes per session at our Notting Hill Gate clinic. Walk in, walk out. Avoid compressive loading of the hip (crossing legs, lying on the treated side, sitting in low chairs) for 48 hours after each session.
We provide guidance on graduated hip loading and return-to-running timelines. Gluteal strengthening to support the tendon repair process is discussed. Most patients can return to running within 8–12 weeks of completing treatment.
Why Choose Us
Most GTPS is primarily a gluteus medius tendinopathy, not isolated bursitis. We treat the underlying pathology, not just the secondary bursal reaction — which is why our results are durable rather than cyclic.
All treatment by Dr Kishore Bahl, GMC-registered Medical Doctor (GMC No. 6070860) with 30 years' clinical experience. Doctor-led assessment and treatment throughout.
We use the same ESWT protocols validated in the published RCT evidence base for GTPS — including the load modification strategies that published trials show are critical for optimal outcomes.
22 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JE — directly accessible from Notting Hill Gate Underground (Central and Circle lines). Accessible from Kensington, Holland Park, Bayswater, and beyond.
Hip compressive load avoidance — avoiding crossed legs, low chairs, and side-lying on the affected hip — is as important as the shockwave itself for GTPS. We explain this clearly and include it in every treatment plan.
All costs confirmed at your free consultation before any commitment. No hidden fees, no surprise add-ons, no pressure to book more sessions than your presentation requires.
Common Questions
Your Clinician
All treatment at Shockwave ReVibe is provided by Dr Kishore Bahl, a GMC-registered Medical Doctor with over 30 years of clinical experience in NHS and private practice. Dr Bahl holds BSc and MBBS degrees and is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC Registration No. 6070860).
Dr Bahl assesses each patient's clinical history in full, reviews any available imaging, and designs the treatment plan accordingly. You receive doctor-led assessment and treatment — not a generic protocol administered by a technician.
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