Greater Trochanteric Pain SyndromeNCT07510763
Piriformis and Gluteal Muscle Thickness in Patients With Unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
An observational study of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and Deep Gluteal Syndrome, run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Deep Gluteal Syndrome, Gluteal Tendinopathy
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 2 Dec 2025to 31 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adults with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and healthy individuals without hip pain or known musculoskeletal disorders are being recruited. Participants are evaluated using ultrasonography in an outpatient clinical setting.
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Who cannot join
- Presence of lumbar radiculopathy
- Presence of hip or spinal osteoarthritis
- History of lumbar spine or lower extremity surgery
- Presence of neurological disorders affecting muscles or peripheral nerves
- Pregnancy
- Presence of cognitive impairment or neuropsychiatric conditions limiting participation
- Unwillingness to participate
- Regular participation in physical exercise (defined as more than two sessions per week)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Observational Assessment of Deep Gluteal Syndrome and Bilateral Piriformis, Gluteus Medius, and Gluteus Maximus Muscle Thickness Using Ultrasonography 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.
Read the detailed description
This observational cross-sectional study investigates ultrasonographic muscle morphology and associated clinical findings in patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), focusing on piriformis and gluteal muscle thickness, symptom severity, and Deep Gluteal Syndrome-related findings.
Participants with unilateral GTPS and healthy controls are recruited from outpatient clinical settings. The clinical diagnosis of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome is based on the presence of lateral hip pain in combination with at least two of the following findings: tenderness over the greater trochanter on palpation, pain during a 30-second single-leg stance test, or supportive ultrasonographic findings.
Ultrasonographic evaluations are performed bilaterally to measure piriformis, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus muscle thickness. For each muscle, three measurements are obtained, and the mean value is used for analysis. Inter-side differences between affected and unaffected hips in the GTPS group and between both hips in the control group are calculated to assess asymmetry.
In the control group, the mean values of both hips are calculated and used as reference values. Comparisons are performed between affected and unaffected hips within the patient group. In addition, muscle thickness of the affected and unaffected hips in the GTPS group is compared separately with the control group mean values for each muscle. Inter-side differences in muscle thickness are also compared between patients and healthy controls. Trochanteric bursal fluid and Doppler signal changes are also evaluated using ultrasonography.
The presence of Deep Gluteal Syndrome is determined based on clinical criteria, defined as at least one clinical finding together with at least two positive standardized clinical provocation tests. Patients are categorized as Deep Gluteal Syndrome-positive or negative accordingly.
Symptom severity is assessed using the VISA-G (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Gluteal) questionnaire. Correlation analyses are performed to evaluate the association between VISA-G scores and inter-side differences in muscle thickness.
- Keywords
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Deep Gluteal Syndrome, Hip Pain, Muscle Thickness, Piriformis Muscle, Gluteal Muscle Thickness
- Medical subject headings
- Hip socket neuropathy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| GTPS Patients | Patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome evaluated with ultrasonography | |
| Healthy Controls | Healthy individuals without hip pain or known musculoskeletal disorders, evaluated using ultrasonography |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Piriformis Muscle Thickness
Comparison of piriformis muscle thickness between patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and healthy controls using ultrasonography
Measured: At baseline
Secondary outcomes (6)
Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Maximus Muscle Thickness
Comparison of gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscle thickness between patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and healthy controls using ultrasonography.
Measured: At baseline
Side-to-Side Muscle Thickness Comparison
Within-group comparison of piriformis, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus muscle thickness between affected and unaffected sides in patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome.
Measured: At baseline
Trochanteric Bursa and Doppler Findings
Assessment of trochanteric bursal fluid and Doppler signal changes in patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome using ultrasonography.
Measured: At baseline
Prevalence of Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Assessment of the presence of Deep Gluteal Syndrome in patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome based on clinical evaluation and standardized provocation tests.
Measured: At baseline
Correlation Between VISA-G Score and Hip Muscle Thickness Asymmetry
Correlation between VISA-G score and inter-side muscle thickness differences of piriformis, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus measured by ultrasonography in the patient group.
Measured: At baseline
Inter-side difference in muscle thickness between patients and controls
Comparison of inter-side differences in piriformis, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus muscle thickness between patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and healthy controls using ultrasonography
Measured: At baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Apr 2026
- Study start2 Dec 2025
- Primary completion31 Mar 2026
- Study completion31 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Greater Trochanteric Pain SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara Etlik City HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Etlik City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Başak Mansız-Kaplan, Ankara Etlik City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07510763
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AEŞH-BADEK1-2025-015
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Firat A, Veizi E, Karaman Y, Alkan H, Sahin A, Tolunay T, Kilicarslan K. Unrepaired Trochanteric Bursae as a Risk Factor for Deep Gluteal Syndrome After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial. J Arthroplasty. 2024 Apr;39(4):1025-1030. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.10.049. Epub 2023 Nov 2.
PubMed 37924993Othman IK, Raj NB, Siew Kuan C, Sidek S, Wong LS, Djearamane S, Loganathan A, Selvaraj S. Association of Piriformis Thickness, Hip Muscle Strength, and Low Back Pain Patients with and without Piriformis Syndrome in Malaysia. Life (Basel). 2023 May 18;13(5):1208. doi: 10.3390/life13051208.
PubMed 37240853Whittaker JL, Emery CA. Sonographic measures of the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and vastus medialis muscles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Aug;44(8):627-32. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.5315. Epub 2014 Jul 16.
PubMed 25029916Geler Kulcu D. Deep Gluteal syndrome: An underestimated cause of posterior hip pain. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Feb 1;70(1):4-16. doi: 10.5606/tftrd.2024.14668. eCollection 2024 Mar.
PubMed 38549816Speers CJ, Bhogal GS. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2017 Oct;67(663):479-480. doi: 10.3399/bjgp17X693041. No abstract available.
PubMed 28963433
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Observational Assessment of Deep Gluteal Syndrome and Bilateral Piriformis, Gluteus Medius, and Gluteus Maximus Muscle Thickness Using Ultrasonography in Patients With Unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07510763
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AEŞH-BADEK1-2025-015
- Keywords
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Deep Gluteal Syndrome, Hip Pain, Muscle Thickness, Piriformis Muscle, Gluteal Muscle Thickness
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Etlik City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 2 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
This observational cross-sectional study investigates ultrasonographic muscle morphology and associated clinical findings in patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), focusing on piriformis and gluteal muscle thickness, symptom severity, and Deep Gluteal Syndrome-related findings.
Participants with unilateral GTPS and healthy controls are recruited from outpatient clinical settings. The clinical diagnosis of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome is based on the presence of lateral hip pain in combination with at least two of the following findings: tenderness over the greater trochanter on palpation, pain during a 30-second single-leg stance test, or supportive ultrasonographic findings.
Ultrasonographic evaluations are performed bilaterally to measure piriformis, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus muscle thickness. For each muscle, three measurements are obtained, and the mean value is used for analysis. Inter-side differences between affected and unaffected hips in the GTPS group and between both hips in the control group are calculated to assess asymmetry.
In the control group, the mean values of both hips are calculated and used as reference values. Comparisons are performed between affected and unaffected hips within the patient group. In addition, muscle thickness of the affected and unaffected hips in the GTPS group is compared separately with the control group mean values for each muscle. Inter-side differences in muscle thickness are also compared between patients and healthy controls. Trochanteric bursal fluid and Doppler signal changes are also evaluated using ultrasonography.
The presence of Deep Gluteal Syndrome is determined based on clinical criteria, defined as at least one clinical finding together with at least two positive standardized clinical provocation tests. Patients are categorized as Deep Gluteal Syndrome-positive or negative accordingly.
Symptom severity is assessed using the VISA-G (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Gluteal) questionnaire. Correlation analyses are performed to evaluate the association between VISA-G scores and inter-side differences in muscle thickness.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| GTPS Patients | – | –Patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome evaluated with ultrasonography |
| Healthy Controls | – | –Healthy individuals without hip pain or known musculoskeletal disorders, evaluated using ultrasonography |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adults with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and healthy individuals without hip pain or known musculoskeletal disorders are being recruited. Participants are evaluated using ultrasonography in an outpatient clinical setting.
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Adults aged 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Presence of lumbar radiculopathy
- Presence of hip or spinal osteoarthritis
- History of lumbar spine or lower extremity surgery
- Presence of neurological disorders affecting muscles or peripheral nerves
- Pregnancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Piriformis Muscle Thickness
Time frame: At baseline
Comparison of piriformis muscle thickness between patients with unilateral Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and healthy controls using ultrasonography
6 secondary outcomes
Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Maximus Muscle Thickness
Time frame: At baseline
Side-to-Side Muscle Thickness Comparison
Time frame: At baseline
Trochanteric Bursa and Doppler Findings
Time frame: At baseline
Prevalence of Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Time frame: At baseline
Correlation Between VISA-G Score and Hip Muscle Thickness Asymmetry
Time frame: At baseline
Inter-side difference in muscle thickness between patients and controls
Time frame: At baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Apr 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37924993Firat A, Veizi E, Karaman Y, Alkan H, Sahin A, Tolunay T, Kilicarslan K. Unrepaired Trochanteric Bursae as a Risk Factor for Deep Gluteal Syndrome After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial. J Arthroplasty. 2024 Apr;39(4):1025-1030. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.10.049. Epub 2023 Nov 2.
- Background: PubMed 37240853Othman IK, Raj NB, Siew Kuan C, Sidek S, Wong LS, Djearamane S, Loganathan A, Selvaraj S. Association of Piriformis Thickness, Hip Muscle Strength, and Low Back Pain Patients with and without Piriformis Syndrome in Malaysia. Life (Basel). 2023 May 18;13(5):1208. doi: 10.3390/life13051208.
- Background: PubMed 25029916Whittaker JL, Emery CA. Sonographic measures of the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and vastus medialis muscles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Aug;44(8):627-32. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.5315. Epub 2014 Jul 16.
- Background: PubMed 38549816Geler Kulcu D. Deep Gluteal syndrome: An underestimated cause of posterior hip pain. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Feb 1;70(1):4-16. doi: 10.5606/tftrd.2024.14668. eCollection 2024 Mar.
- Background: PubMed 28963433Speers CJ, Bhogal GS. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2017 Oct;67(663):479-480. doi: 10.3399/bjgp17X693041. No abstract available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and Deep Gluteal Syndrome, run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Piriformis Muscle Thickness (time frame: At baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07510763, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Apr 2026.