Hip & pelvis
Gluteal tendinopathy
Outside hip pain when side sleeping or climbing stairs
What it means
The gluteus medius and minimus tendons attach near the bony outside of the hip. Loading or compressing that area can reproduce lateral hip pain. Tenderness and pain during specific loading tests can help guide the exam. [1, 2]
What I check in the clinic
I ask which side you sleep on and what happens on stairs. If one step reproduces the pain, I can change the support or height and see whether the same step feels different.
What the evidence says about care
In the LEAP trial, education plus exercise produced better reported global improvement than corticosteroid injection at one year in participants with gluteal tendinopathy. We can discuss temporary changes to positions that are hard to tolerate while gradually building strength. [3]
Common questions
Why do stairs hurt the side of my hip when a flat walk feels fine?
I’d ask which stair brings it on and where you feel it. We can compare a supported step at a tolerable height and use what you feel to choose a starting point.
Stairs are easier, but I still wake when I roll onto that side. Is that useful information?
Yes. Tell me about both changes. The stairs give us one task to follow, and how often you wake or change sides gives us another.
Why does standing on one leg to put on my pants feel worse than standing at the sink?
Show me the part of dressing that bothers you. We can compare it with support nearby and see which version feels more manageable.
How would I tell if a clinic change helps me get through errands?
Use an outing you already make and notice when the hip first asks for a break. We can compare that with your usual pattern as you go.
Is this the same as hip bursitis?
Outside hip pain can involve tendons, the bursa, or both. The pattern and exam help decide what to do next. [2]
What should I bring to an evaluation?
Bring one example of a movement or activity you want back, along with any relevant imaging or treatment notes you already have.