Take a look at the ischial bursitis blog post for complimentary information about Bursitis and how to help alleviate the symptoms they bring.

So to recap a bursitis is an inflamed and irritated bursa. Reminder: a bursa is a small fluid filled sac naturally designed to reduce friction in between mainly muscles and bones in the human body.

When a bursitis occurs pain usually follows on the location of the bursa. Hence trochanteric bursitis creates this hip pain, characteristically  on the side of the hip.

On the trochanter there are 2 bursa’s that are commonly involved when it comes to bursitis.

Those whom suffer from this bursitis describe symptoms as : “hip tenderness, snapping on the outside, hard to climb stairs, cannot lay down on the side in bed, develops concomitant low back pain”.

Causes of this hip bursitis can vary : the most common causes are due to friction with tight muscles after repetitive activity and poor stretching habits. Next biggest cause is direct trauma or injury to the area, e.g. after an accident. There are many associated risk  factors that increase your chance of developing and having persistant and stubborn bursitis. These include: obesity/ overweight, direct injury, overuse and repetitive activity, hip arthritis, systemic inflammation (obesity, other inflammatory conditions – Rheumatoid) and leg length differences.

Due to all of these different causes and risk factors – the only true way to treat the bursitis can be with pain management, but essentially to get rid of the route cause. Thus it is always important to get checked out by a qualified healthcare professional. Other conditions can also present similarly to Hip bursitis and that is Meralgia Paraesthetica.

In order to treat bursitis – once the root cause is identified treatment can begin. In the majority of cases, this condition can be solved without surgery or any other invasive procedure such as corticosteroid injections and NSAID medications. Hence it is best managed by manual therapy and exercise. Other non-invasive methods can be utilised.

Treatment will also have a large focus on stretching and strengthening of certain muscle groups, joints mobilisations will be performed along with, therapeutic ultrasound, dry needling/ acupunture, friction massage, cryotherapy and importantly home exercise programmes. Taping techniques are also fantastic way to support recovery.