Hip pain is one of the more frequent complaints as people age, and many times it may be attributed to bursitis in the hip. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that helps provide cushion between bone and soft tissue, and they can be found all over the body. When a bursa gets irritated or inflamed, it is referred to as bursitis. On the outside of the hip/upper thigh, there is a large bony point called the greater trochanter, and the trochanteric bursa is one of the more commonly affected areas where bursitis can occur (often referred to as trochanteric bursitis). Trochanteric bursitis can occur for a variety of reasons, including direct injury to the area, prior hip surgery, biomechanical factors like leg length differences or gait abnormalities, and overuse from repetitive activities like running, cycling, stair climbing, etc. Symptoms may include pain on the outer part of the hip that may or may not refer down the outside of the thigh or buttock, pain when lying on the affected side, pain getting in/out of the car or a deep chair, and pain with repetitive activities like walking, running, biking.
Conservative treatments like rest from overuse, ice, and NSAIDS may be effective to reduce inflammation and pain from trochanteric bursitis. Your doctor may also decide an injection may be beneficial to help relieve symptoms. Physical therapy can be very useful in helping reduce symptoms and prevent future exacerbations of pain as well. Exercises and manual interventions in physical therapy will aim to improve flexibility and mobility in surrounding areas that are tight, as well as improve strength in muscles that are weak, to improve the stabilization of the core, hips, and legs. Balance and proprioceptive exercises may also be given to help improve pelvic stability to aide with returning to your prior level of function.
If you have questions or would like more information on trochanteric bursitis, please contact us at ProActive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.
Reference:
Foran, Jared R.H. Hip Bursitis. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org . Reviewed September 2018. Accessed January 27, 2019.