Endoscopic Iliotibial Band Lengthening and Bursectomy Effectively Improve Pain and Function in Patients With Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Purpose To evaluate patient‐reported outcomes after endoscopic bursectomy and iliotibial band lengthening for the treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Methods Patients >18 years who underwent endoscopic bursectomy and iliotibial band lengthening for treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome were included. Patient‐reported outcomes were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 1‐year follow‐up. Outcome measures included Hip Outcome Score Activity of Daily Living score and Sports subscales, modified Harris Hip Score, and University of California, Los Angeles activity score. Data was analyzed using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests and Fisher's exact tests. Results The study included 25 individual patients (17 preoperative and 13 postoperative data points; and 5 patients provided both). The cohort had a mean age of 53.6 years (range, 27‐86), and 73% were women. Significant improvements in functional scores were observed across all outcome measures. The median (interquartile range) total Hip Outcome Score Activity of Daily Living improved from 43.8 (27.9, 60.3) preoperatively to 91.2 (72.1, 95.6) postoperatively ( P < .001). Hip Outcome Score‐Sports improved from 25.0 (5.0, 50.0) preoperatively to 80.0 (57.5, 97.5) postoperatively ( P = .001). Level of function during usual activities improved from 45.0 (10.0, 50.0) to 80.0 (75.0, 95.0) ( P = .001). Total function score improved from 34.5 (26.0, 56.8) to 90.2 (72.1, 92.3) ( P = .001). The modified Harris Hip Score improved from 33.0 (24.0, 51.0) to 77.0 (53.0, 85.0) ( P < .001). University of California, Los Angeles activity score improved from 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) preoperatively to 6.0 (3.0, 9.0) postoperatively ( P = .028). Conclusions Endoscopic bursectomy and iliotibial band lengthening were associated with improvements in patient‐reported pain and function in patients with chronic greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Although these results are compelling, they should be interpreted with caution because of the relatively small sample size. Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.