Bursitis

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis, also known as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), is a common cause of persistent pain on the outside of the hip. It’s often referred to as trochanteric bursitis, although in many people the condition also involves irritation of the nearby gluteal tendons.

The greater trochanter is the bony point on the outside of your hip. Several tendons and small fluid-filled sacs (called bursae) sit in this area to reduce friction and allow smooth movement. When these tissues become irritated or inflamed, it can lead to ongoing pain on the outer side of the hip.

Bursitis is most common in adults over 40 and can significantly affect walking, sleep, and everyday activities.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of the hip

• Tenderness when pressing over the bony part of the hip

• Pain when lying on the affected side

• Discomfort when walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods

• Pain that persists despite physiotherapy or injections

Symptoms may develop gradually and can last for months if not fully resolved.

How can radiotherapy help?

Radiotherapy may be considered when symptoms persist despite conservative treatment.

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) may help by:

• reducing inflammation in the affected tissues

• easing pain and tenderness around the hip

• improving comfort during movement and daily activities

• helping some people avoid or delay more invasive treatments.

At low doses, radiotherapy works by gently influencing inflammatory and immune processes in the affected tissues. This can gradually reduce irritation around the tendons and bursae.

Pain relief often develops progressively over several weeks.

International clinical experience, particularly from Europe, supports the use of low-dose radiotherapy for chronic inflammatory and degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, including lateral hip pain syndromes.

Who can benefit?

Low-dose radiotherapy may be suitable for adults who:

• have clinically confirmed greater trochanteric pain syndrome

• have persistent lateral hip pain lasting several months

• have not responded adequately to physiotherapy or corticosteroid injections

• wish to avoid or delay surgical treatment.

Your radiation oncologist will review your symptoms, examine the affected area, and assess any imaging to determine whether this treatment may be appropriate.

What to expect

Consultation and assessment

You will meet with a radiation oncologist who will review your symptoms, previous treatments, and any scans to confirm the diagnosis and discuss whether radiotherapy may help.

Personalised treatment plan

A simple planning session ensures the treatment area is accurately targeted while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Treatment sessions

Treatment is non-invasive, painless, and typically delivered as five short treatment sessions over one week, followed by a break before a possible second course.

Follow-up

Pain relief may begin within a few weeks, although improvement often continues over one to three months. In selected cases, a second course of treatment may be considered if there has been partial benefit.

Side effects

Low-dose radiotherapy for inflammatory conditions uses very small doses of radiation, so side effects are usually mild. Most people do not notice any effects during treatment. Occasionally, the skin over the treated area may become slightly dry or sensitive in the weeks after treatment. These effects are typically mild and temporary.

Your care team will explain what to expect and how to care for the treated area if needed.