Frequency and Effects of Great Trochanteric Pain Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) can be commonly seen in patients with low back, hip, or knee pain. The aims of the study are to determine the frequency of GTPS in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), to reveal the clinical effects of GTPS and to identify the risk factors for the development of GTPS. Material and Methods: Patients with CLBP were evaluated with standardized history and physical examination. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used for the asessment of quality of life. Patients were assessed with lumbar anteroposterior, lumbar lateral radiographs, and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. Results: GTPS was detected in 59.2% of patients with CLBP. The presence of GTPS increased the pain level measured by visual analog scale, it worsens the functional status measured by ODI (p=0.007, p=0.001). Presence of GTPS caused deterioration in SF-36 pain subparameter (p=0.005). While female gender was found to be a risk factor (p=0.031), gait disturbance and neurogenic claudication were found to be more common in patients with GTPS (p=0.021, p=0.017). Osteophytes, sclerosis, loss of intervertebral disc space, and central spinal stenosis were common in patients with GTPS (p=0.021, p=0.011, p=0.05, p=0.021). Conclusion: GTPS was a very common and painful condition in patients with CLBP. It was seen more frequently in women, in patients with a more severe degenerative condition, and with central spinal stenosis. GTPS increased the level of pain and negatively affects the quality of life.