Have you been experiencing hip pain, especially on the side of your hip?
Does it hurt when you sit for long periods?
Or when you go up and down stairs?
Does it interfere with your sleep when you sleep on your side?
Then you may have a condition called trochanteric bursitis and here is everything you need to know about it.
What is it?
- Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa that sits on the side of your greater trochanter, the most bony prominence on the side of your hip. A bursa is a sac of fluid that sits between muscles/tendons and bones to provide cushion as well smooth frictionless movement.
Who does it affect and what causes it?
- More common in women, especially middle-aged women
- Excessive or repetitive movements – such as athletics, running, cycling or jumping
- Direct trauma to the bursa – commonly seen in elderly patients who are at risk of falls
- Sedentary or bed bound patients due to constant pressure over the greater trochanter
How does it occur?
- This usually occurs due to either repetitive microtrauma that can be from running or exercise involving the hip and tendinopathy of the surrounding musculature. It can also be caused by direct trauma and compression of the bursa or idiopathically, without any reason.
What are its symptoms?
- One sided lateral hip pain
- Gradual onset of pain
- Local pain over the greater trochanter
- Pain that improves with anti-inflammatories
- Pain that is worse with prolonged activity that involves stabilisation of the pelvis e.g standing on one leg
- Pain that is brought on with adduction of the femur – swinging the leg across the midline of the body
How can it be treated?
- In most cases trochanteric bursitis can be managed with conservative care through adequate rest and pharmacotherapy. However, there are instances where more direct intervention is required through physical therapy and stronger pharmacotherapy. In rare cases, surgery may be considered if patients do not respond well to conservative measures.
If you think you may have this condition or something similar to this and you are unsure, it may be a good idea to come in and see one of the osteopaths at Canterbury Health Hub. Here we can perform a thorough assessment, provide treatment and tailored rehabilitation programs to get you back pain free.