Clinical Research Directory

The HIP Self-management Study

The HIPS-study will be an observer blinded, single-centre, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT). The main purpose of the study is: 1. To investigate the clinical effectiveness of a self- management program versus usual care for patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). * H0: There is no difference between a self-management program and usual care on pain and function in patients with GTPS. * H1: There is a difference between a self-management program and usual care on pain and function in patients with GTPS. 2. To investigate if self-management is more cost-effective than usual care in the treatment of patients with GTPS. Participants will be randomly allocated into one of two groups: 1) self-management program or 2) usual care. Follow-up will be at 3-, 6- and 12-months.

Comparing Standard Care Approaches for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome in General Practice

Pain on the outside of the hip, known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), is a common problem. It is caused by irritation of the tendons that attach the buttock muscles to the hip bone. The condition most often affects middle-aged women and makes everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, sitting and lying on the painful side difficult. Many people continue to have pain for years. Today, there is no agreed treatment approach for GTPS in general practice, and it is unclear which of the treatments commonly used works best. This study compares three treatments that are all already used in Danish healthcare. Participants are adults aged 35 or older who have had pain on the outside of the hip for at least 12 weeks and who show typical signs of GTPS on a clinical examination. An ultrasound scan of the hip is performed to rule out a torn tendon. In total, 192 participants will be recruited, mainly through general practice, and also through specialist clinics, a hospital sports medicine department and social media. Participants are assigned by chance (randomised) to one of three groups: 1. Advice: a leaflet explaining the condition and how to manage daily activities, with a brief verbal explanation. 2. Advice plus home exercises: the leaflet plus three simple strength exercises done at home three times a week, with written instructions, online videos and an exercise diary. 3. Advice plus home exercises plus a steroid injection: the same as group 2, plus a cortisone injection given with ultrasound guidance into the painful area of the hip within a week of the first visit. The injection can be repeated once after 6 weeks if pain persists. The main question is how many participants in each group feel much better after 3 months. Participants also answer questions about pain, hip function, quality of life, physical activity, exercise adherence, side effects and use of healthcare. Questionnaires are completed online after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months, and participants attend three visits with a clinical examination and ultrasound scan: at the start, after 6 weeks and after 3 months. The study takes place at two sites in Denmark: Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen and the Research Unit for General Practice in Aalborg. We expect that adding exercises, and adding exercises and an injection, will lead to greater improvement than advice alone. The results will help guide treatment of GTPS in general practice.

Piriformis and Gluteal Muscle Thickness in Patients With Unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

This study aims to evaluate muscle thickness in patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome using ultrasonography and to compare these findings with healthy individuals. The primary objective is to determine whether piriformis muscle thickness differs between patients and controls. Secondary objectives include assessing gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscle thickness, side-to-side differences in piriformis and gluteal muscle thickness, and the presence of Deep Gluteal Syndrome.