Can The Greater Trochanter Bone Be Reduced?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I would like to know if it is possible to reduce the volume of the greater trochanter bone ? Because for me, it sticks out a lot and makes my silhouette look very weird. My greater trochanter isn’t in the continuity of my hips and it causes me a great pain (impossible to dress) and I cannot accept it. It looks very ugly. 

Furthermore since the greater is that big, it causes me a lateral pain (on both sides). I would be very grateful if you helped me.

Thank you for your answer.

A:While the greater trochanteric bone can create an unaesthetic bulge in some people, it is important to recognize that it is there for a purpose. It is a bony prominence onto which multiple muscles attach (gluteus minimus, piriformis, TFL) with an associated bursa. Besides the potential functional effects from muscle stripping to get to the trochanteric head there is also the risk of creating bursitis and chronic pain. It is for these reasons that trochanteric bone reduction is not done for aesthetic purposes.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana