Adult patients’ experiences on the management of gluteal tendinopathy: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Best management for the common condition of gluteal tendinopathy (GT) has not been determined, with the lack patient voice regarding the experience of receiving treatment being notably absent. We aimed to inform clinical care by exploring patient opinions on, and experiences of, the management of gluteal tendinopathy. METHODS: An interview topic guide was developed and validated based on a literature review, expert and patient input. Participants were recruited via social media and purposive sampling. Semi structured online interviews were conducted, and a framework analysis with an interpretivist approach employed to interpret the data. RESULTS: Nine participants (2 males, 7 females) were interviewed for (mean (SD) 45 (9)) min yielding 4 main themes of: The experience of having gluteal tendinopathy,"Just felt like the most excruciating pain down my leg"; therapeutic alliance, "He (physiotherapist) does explain things. He never makes me feel stupid (when I ask questions)… ";receiving treatment, "She's (physiotherapist) very analytical and she went into it and gave me a lot of rehab exercises for the hips and everything",service delivery,"Thankfully, I got an appointment quite quickly." CONCLUSION: Patients with gluteal tendinopathy were keen to have prompt access to expert clinicians who strive to build a positive reflexive therapeutic alliance. Personalised therapy is central to successful management of symptoms that can be very severe and profoundly compromise everyday life. CONTRIBUTION OF PAPER.