Endoscopic management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS): a comprehensive systematic review

Abstract

Background Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) presents challenges in clinical management due to its chronic nature and uncertain etiology. Historically attributed to greater trochanteric bursitis, current understanding implicates abductor tendinopathy as the primary cause. Diagnosis usually involves a clinical examination and additional tests such as imaging and provocative testing. Surgical intervention may be considered for cases refractory to conservative therapy, with endoscopic techniques gaining ground over open procedures. Materials and methods A systematic review was conducted adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were searched in four databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and Medline. The selected articles were evaluated according to the criteria of levels of evidence (LoE). The Coleman methodology score (mCMS) was used to analyze the retrospective studies. This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews. Results Surgical success rates ranged from 70.6–100%, significantly improving pain and function. Complications were generally mild, mainly hematomas and seromas, while recurrence rates were low. However, limitations such as the retrospective design and the absence of control groups warrant cautious interpretation of the results. Conclusions Endoscopic surgery emerges as a promising option for refractory GTPS, offering effective symptom relief and functional improvement. Despite limitations, these results suggest a favorable risk–benefit profile for endoscopic procedures. Further research is needed, particularly prospective randomized trials, to confirm these findings and optimize surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes.