The effect of corticosteroid injections in the treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: lessons for advanced practitioners

Abstract

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a broad term employed to characterise lateral hip pain originating from the structures attached to the greater trochanter of the femur. It can lead to a decrease in work participation, elevated levels of pain and dysfunction impeding physical activity and a diminished quality of life; these features align with those observed in individuals with severe hip osteoarthritis. Effectively managing GTPS can present considerable challenges. Generally, patients with GTPS tend to respond favourably to conservative management techniques, such as corticosteroid injections. However, there is still some debate regarding the specific estimation of effect that corticosteroid injections have. This was recently explored in a systematic review by Wang et al (2022) . This commentary critically assesses the methodologies used in the review and provides a broader understanding of its findings in the context of the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership, education and research.