GTPS: does shockwave therapy help?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Improve Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Compared to an Ultrasound Guided Steroid Injection?
IRAS ID
169380
Contact name
Robin Banerjee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common problem affecting 10-25% of the population. Symptoms include pain and tenderness over the side of the hip, particularly when lying in bed on the affected side. It is more common in women (4:1) and primarily found in 40-60 year olds. It is associated with any condition which alters the normal biomechanics of the hip such as unequal leg lengths, arthritis, total hip or knee replacement and obesity.
Many treatments have been described in the management of GTPS including uphysiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections and surgery. Unfortunately there is no treatment available that is effective for most people. Usual treatment consists of a steroid injection then discharge to physiotherapy care.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been used to good effect in other forms of tendon problems such as plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and Achilles tendonitis. This study is a randomised control trial to establish whether ESWT with physiotherapy is a better treatment than a corticosteroid injection with physiotherapy in the management of GTPS. 128 patients will be recruited to the study and randomised into two arms. Group 1 will have 3 doses of ESWT followed by physiotherapy. Group 2 will have a single ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection followed by physiotherapy. Both groups will be followed up at 3 and 12 months.
We will look improvement in pain, function and quality of life scores to determine which treatment group does better.
Currently, there is limited evidence for the use of ESWT in GTPS . NICE have reviewed the evidence of this treatment and have recommended further research into this area. If found to be a successful treatment, it is hoped that we will be able to gain funding from the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to make this treatment more widely available to patients.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0170
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion