Hip Bursitis- Injuries Athletic Therapists Treat: A Monthly Series-

Injuries Athletic Therapists Treat- A Monthly Series

Welcome to our monthly series! 

Our goal is to share with YOU how Athletic Therapy can help you recover from common injuries you or a loved one may be experiencing. Each month will showcase and discuss a new condition athletic therapists see and treat each day

Enjoy!

Hip Bursitis

Are you struggling with an annoying pain at the side of your hip? Are you getting hip pain when running or being active? You may be experiencing hip bursitis, also known as trochanteric bursitis.

What is hip bursitis

Bursa are small fluid-filled sacs that contain small amounts of fluid. They are found in places at which friction may occur within body tissues.They provide protection between tendons and bones, between tendons and ligaments and between other structures where there is friction and act as cushions to help reduce friction.

The hip joint has many bursa, however the deep trochanteric bursa will be the one irritated and causing pain on the outside of the hip, as that is where it is located.. Bursitis, ‘itis’ meaning inflammation, is inflammation or irritation of the bursa. 

What causes it

Hip bursitis can be caused by a number of different things, but the most common include: muscle imbalances, repetitive motions or overuse, a fall onto the hip,  and different leg lengths. While anyone can get it, it is found to be more common in women due to an increased hip angle, (also known at Q angle), which puts more stress on the hip

Signs and Symptoms

• Swelling
• Pain and tenderness on outside part of hip, which may radiate downwards
• Loss of motion
• Limping
• Pain when lying on the affected hip
• Pain when getting up from a chair after being seated for a while.
• Pain that may get worse with prolonged walking, running, stair climbing, or squatting

Treatment for hip bursitis

Discovering & identifying the root cause of why you have hip bursitis is the first step to recovery. Rest and/or modifying activity for the short term (swimming instead of running) may be recommended. Strengthening or stretching muscles, or possibly a steroid injection into the bursa are all forms of treatment that might be beneficial. It is very rare, however surgery may be needed to remove the bursa in severe cases. Removal of the bursa doesn’t hurt the hip and it can function normally without it

Going to see a qualified professional, such as a certified athletic therapist, to identify the problem and get you on a proper treatment plan is the best way to fix the problem. If you think you have hip bursitis and want to resolve it, contact us today: HERE