Year: 2018  Study type: RTC  

Mellor R, Bennell K, Grimaldi A, Nicolson P, Kasza J, Hodges P et al. Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach on global outcome and pain from gluteal tendinopathy: prospective, single blinded, randomised clinical trial. BMJ 2018;2(361):k1662.

Objective

To compare the effects of a program of specific exercises and load management education, a single corticosteroid injection, and no treatment in individuals with gluteal tendinopathy. 

Methods

Interventions: education and exercise program of 14 sessions over eight weeks led by a physiotherapist (EDX; n=69), one corticosteroid injection (CSI; n=66), and a wait and see approach (WS; n=69).

Main outcomes: Pain (NPRS), global improvement in hip condition at eight weeks and at 52 weeks. 

Outcome

Education plus exercise led to greater pain relief and global improvement than corticosteroid injection use or no treatment by eight weeks. 

After 52 weeks, rates of global improvement remained higher for education plus exercise than for corticosteroid injection use.

The findings of this study support the use of exercise therapy and education as management approach for gluteal tendinopathy.