Question

58 yo F is evaluated for a 4 week hx of left lateral hip pain. She describes the pain as a moderate ache that intermittently radiates down the lateral aspect of the left leg. On palpation, there is tenderness over the left greater trochanter.Most appropriate management?

Answer 1

Non-surgical treatments such as rest, physical therapy, pain medications, and possibly corticosteroid injections are appropriate for managing left lateral hip pain with tenderness over the greater trochanter. Assistive devices can also help decrease stress on the joint.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate management for a 58-year-old female with a 4-week history of left lateral hip pain, which radiates down the leg and is tender over the left greater trochanter, may involve a combination of non-surgical treatments. These treatments could include rest, physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles, pain management with medications such as NSAIDs, and possibly corticosteroid injections if inflammation is contributing to the pain. The use of assistive devices like a cane or walker to decrease stress on the joint can also be beneficial. It's important to consider the anatomy involved; the greater trochanter is a point of muscle attachment and can be subject to trochanteric bursitis or tendinopathy, which are common causes of lateral hip pain.

In cases where the patient does not respond to conservative treatment, further evaluation and possible surgical intervention may be necessary, such as hip arthroscopy or, in more severe cases with joint damage, a hip replacement. However, as initial management, non-surgical interventions are preferred to address symptoms and improve function.