How To Treat Hip Bursitis

How To Treat Hip Bursitis

How To Treat Hip Bursitis

Updated on 9/22/2023
Mai DelacruzBy Mai Delacruz
Personal Fitness Trainer & Health Coach
Learn More about Mai Delacruz

How to treat hip bursitis? The fact that our hips are as flexible as they are is already a marvel in and of itself, but that's not all they're capable of doing. Because of their assistance, we receive strength and constancy from them, which helps us move through with our plans. They possess the toughness necessary to withstand the impact brought about as a direct result of our jumping. The human hip joint is one of the body's largest and most potent joints. That is due to its location in the body, which makes it one of the most important joints.

However, the hip can tolerate a significant amount of stress, and when it does so, we may experience some discomfort in that area.

Bursitis, an inflammation of the bursa, is a common cause of hip pain and is commonly blamed for the condition. Bursitis is another name for this ailment, which refers to an inflammation of the bursa. These cavities are often filled with fluid and can be found in several sites throughout the body, and you can find juice in these areas. Their primary job is to act as cushions between the body's bones and the softer tissues, such as the skin, muscles, and tendons. They accomplish this by providing a space between the bones and the soft tissues.

hip bursitis

hip bursitis

On each hip, two major bursae are produced by the iliacus muscle. The greater trochanter, also known as the outer point of the hip, is where a bursa known as the trochanteric bursa may be discovered. This bursa is located on the greater trochanter. And this sac is known as the trochanteric bursa, and its function is unknown. (The other bursa that can be discovered in the inner region of the hip is referred to by its medical term, the iliopsoas bursa.)

Trochanteric bursitis is an inflammation that affects the bursa that is situated on the outside of the hip joint. Trochanteric bursitis is the name that has been given to this condition. This prevalent condition is often referred to by its alternative term, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, or GTPS for short. Because it is so widespread, it has a good chance of responding well to treatment.

What Causes Bursitis In The Trochanter?

Bursa sacs are found in many of the body's major joints, such as the elbow, shoulder, and knee, amongst others. Bursa sacs also exist in the sacroiliac joint. The little pouches, which contain a viscous liquid inside, perform two essential tasks. The first is to lubricate joints, and the second is to protect body parts from the potentially damaging consequences of friction.

If the hip is overworked or damaged, it is possible for the trochanteric bursa, along with other bursae, to become inflamed. That can also happen to other bursae. Additionally, this may result in the inflammation of additional bursae. The condition known as trochanteric bursitis affects around five people out of every one thousand people at some time in their lives. Middle-aged or older people are the demographic in whom this ailment most frequently manifests itself; nonetheless, anyone of any age might be affected by this condition.

hip bursitis

hip bursitis

People who lead active lives and participate in activities such as walking, running, or cycling are more likely to suffer from trochanteric bursitis. This condition can cause inflammation of the bursa in the trochlea. This condition is more prone to manifest in those who lead physically busy lives. The iliotibial band is a sizable band of connective tissue that runs along the medial aspect of the inner part of the leg. (often abbreviated as ITB for "iliotibial band").

Because it extends from the hip to the knee, you may wear this band down to the knee. When the iliotibial band (ITB) becomes stretched as a result of repeated use. It has the potential to irritate the trochanteric bursa when it rubs against it. That is because of the proximity of the two structures. This discomfort might eventually lead to the development of bursitis in the area impacted by it.

The following are some other probable causes of trochanteric bursitis, any of which might play a part in the development of the condition:

  • Tearing in the muscular tissue and connective tissue
  • Damage to the hip was sustained as a result of traumatic incidents.
  • Several complications marred the procedure on the patient's hip.
  • The posture that is not proper
  • Conditions similar to gout and others that are similar to it as well (a form of arthritis with sudden, sharp attacks of pain, often at the base of the big toe)

Symptoms

hip bursitis

hip bursitis

When you begin to feel discomfort on the lateral portion of your hip, you will first become aware that you have trochanteric bursitis. You will learn that you have the illness through this process of diagnosis.

It is possible that when you initially experience the pain, it will be intense, but after some time, it may seem like a dull ache. However, this is only a possibility, and this is one of the alternatives that may occur. There is a good chance that is moving your hip, particularly going downstairs, will make the pain seem even worse than it currently does.

If you do not seek treatment for the issue, the discomfort in your upper leg may begin in the middle of your leg and move its way down. You may feel the pain from the injury when you lie on the side of your hip that is injured when you stand up from a chair. The bursa is sensitive to the sense of pressure, which causes the joint to become rigid when pressed on.

In difficult situations, the hip joint may become inflamed and swollen, and as a consequence of the condition, you may even get a fever. In addition, the sickness may cause you to lose your appetite, and the disease may be the root cause of these symptoms.

If you have been experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks and there is no sign that they are getting better, you should make an appointment with a medical professional as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

hip bursitis

hip bursitis

When you go to see your primary care physician, they will likely do a physical examination on you. They will pay particular attention to the length of time you have been afflicted with the ailment and the sorts of activities that are most likely to cause discomfort in your treatment.

Even if bursitis does not appear on X-rays, the doctor may choose to perform such testing to rule out other potential problems. If the therapy isn't helpful, you have the option of having an ultrasound conducted on your hip; if that doesn't work, you have the choice of moving on to having an MRI performed on your hip instead.

To keep you comfortable throughout the treatment, your healthcare provider may elect to provide a local anesthetic by an injection into your bursa in certain circumstances. It is most likely that of trochanteric bursitis. A disease you may treat with anti-inflammatory medication is to blame if you have trochanteric bursitis and have just seen an improvement in your symptoms.

Treatment

The treatments are often painless and may be done in the privacy and comfort of one's own home without requiring invasive procedures. They will probably include goods such as the following in their offerings:

hip bursitis

hip bursitis

  • Ice. You should apply ice packs to your hip every four hours for a period ranging from twenty to thirty minutes each since this is recommended. The application of cold to a localized location not only gives relief from pain but there is also a possibility that it may also have a therapeutic influence on any edema or inflammation that may be present.
  • Medications that can relieve bloating and inflammation throughout the body are called anti-gas medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), prescription pain relievers like celecoxib (Celebrex), and over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve) can all help reduce discomfort and swelling in the affected area. Naproxen (Aleve) is an example of over-the-counter pain medication. However, before beginning treatment with them, you should be sure to get in touch with your primary care physician.
  • Rest. If you can find a way to avoid placing any pressure on your hip while it is healing, you will be able to speed up the process of your hip mending, which will benefit you. It is conceivable that assistive equipment such as walkers, crutches, and various other devices might also help, which should be considered.
  • Recuperation by use of exercise and other forms of physical treatment With the aid of activities, a qualified therapist may show you how to enhance your range of motion and build more robust muscles. You may be able to increase your range of motion and develop more powerful forces.
hip bursitis

hip bursitis

Specific therapies will likely require a visit to the attending physician's office to be administered. They will probably include goods such as the following in their offerings:

  • The patient is being administered cortisone through the use of injections. The anti-inflammatory medicine cortisone is readily accessible without a doctor's prescription at virtually all pharmacies across the country. Athletes occasionally use them to decrease the discomfort and swelling associated with injuries received in the competition. That is done in the hope that it will help them perform better.
  • A treatment method that uses shock waves and consumes a manageable amount of energy. Utilizing a tool designed specifically to transmit acoustic shock waves through a patient's skin is required to get the desired results. According to the findings of one study, after receiving shock wave therapy for four months, more than two-thirds of patients were either wholly cured or made significant progress in their condition. The study's findings served as the basis for the generation of this material.
  • Surgery. Even though surgery is only necessary for highly exceptional situations, you can surgically remove the bursa if it has degenerated to the point where you cannot recover it. That is, even though surgery is only required in highly unusual situations. The surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure in the vast majority of cases, which means that the patient does not have to spend at least one night in the hospital for it to be finished. As is the case with other normal surgical operations involving the knee and the elbow, the treatment will need the use of a device that resembles a camera and is known as an arthroscope, in addition to the utilization of highly minute pieces of medical equipment.

Prevention

hip bursitis

hip bursitis

If you give your hips (and the rest of your body) the kind of attention they deserve, you can prevent trochanteric bursitis from worsening, and there's a good chance you won't even get it in the first place. The following are just a few of the numerous possibilities available to you the many that are available to choose from:

  • Ensure that you perform each workout component correctly to derive the maximum benefit. Being physically active is a beautiful thing to do, but for it to be beneficial, you need to train in the right way. To do this, you will need to warm up your body, stretch, and pay attention to how your body is feeling.
  • Always double ensure that the orthotics or inserts in your shoes are suitable for the occasion. There are a lot of potential contributors to the development of trochanteric bursitis, which includes a variety of causes. Having one leg shorter than the other is one of the possible reasons for this condition. Inserts can level out your gait.
  • If you are overweight, one thing you should try to do is shed some of the excess weight you have gained. This beneficial technique has the potential to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on your hips.

How To Treat Hip Bursitis? 

The flexibility of our hips is a thing of wonder. They provide us with power and stability when we are walking, and they can withstand the impact we cause when we leap. The human hip joint is notable for being one of the body's most significant and most robust joints. However, the hip can withstand a lot of force, and we could experience some discomfort when it does. Bursitis, often known as an inflammation of the bursa, is commonly cited as a significant reason for hip discomfort. These air-filled sacs may be found throughout the body and act as cushions between the skin, muscles, and other connective tissues and the bones that make up the skeleton.