Hip Bursitis
Hip Bursitis
A bursa (plural bursae) is a small fluid-filled bag that provides a cushioning affect between bones and soft tissue such as muscles and tendons.
A bursa aids joint movement and reduces friction in the joints. These bursae act as shock absorbers and help the tendons to function freely and smoothly.
Bursae Locations In The Body
Around 140 bursae exist throughout the body and there are a number of bursae around the hips including:
- Trochanteric bursa – sitting on the outside of your hip near the gluteal muscles
- Gluteus Medius bursa –located between the Gluteus Medius muscle and greater trochanter
- Iliopsoas bursa – found at the front of your hip joint
- Ischial bursa – sitting between the hamstring tendon and your sit bones
When these bursae become inflamed or damaged, they can cause debilitating hip pain.
What Is Hip Bursitis, What Causes It?
Overuse, repetitive pressure, and injury can trigger inflammation of any of the hip bursae, and this is what we call hip bursitis.
Activities involving repetitive movements that place stress on the hip joint are the most common causes of hip bursitis. Work-related heavy lifting and sports such as running, soccer, rugby, cycling, tennis and squash can all contribute to the development of hip bursitis.
Some of the most common causes for hip bursitis are misuse or weakness of muscles such as through poor running technique, ill-fitting, non-supportive footwear, flat feet, over-pronation, uneven leg lengths, scoliosis and other misalignment issues.
Hip injuries may also trigger hip bursitis as can infections that invade joints. Being overweight and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes may make you more prone to hip bursitis.
Trochanteric bursitis (sometimes known as greater trochanter pain syndrome) is the most common form of hip bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis affects more women middle-aged and older than men and younger people.
Left untreated, Trochanteric bursitis can become extremely painful and debilitating. Advanced diagnostic techniques, ultrasound imaging, patient history, a physical examination and the experience of our expert podiatrists will quickly identify the best remedy for your hip bursitis.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hip Bursitis?
Symptoms of hip bursitis include:
- Pain, swelling, redness and inflammation occurring in the hip
- Referred pain may travel down the outside thigh and on to the knee
- Pressing or sleeping on the affected side may trigger pain
- Pain and stiffness after sitting for a long time
- Climbing stairs or standing for lengthy periods may trigger pain
- Difficulty walking or running without limping.
Hip bursitis symptoms and pain will generally worsen as you continue with that particular movement or activity. But pain may also worsen at night especially if you lie on the affected side.
What’s The Best Hip Bursitis Treatment?
The application of ice is always a great tool for reducing inflammation and other bursitis of the hip symptoms.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen are highly effective at reducing pain and inflammation. We may recommend corticosteroid injections in severe cases of bursitis of the hip.
Shockwave therapy or dry needling services are highly effective, gentle healing therapies that stimulate your body’s natural healing processes.
They work by increasing blood circulation to the affected area to reduce swelling, bruising, inflammation, and assist tissue regeneration. You’ll love the significantly reduced recovery time.
Taping and dense foam rubber cushioning in supportive footwear can help transfer weight from the hip through to the feet more effectively and relieve pain during activity.
More Treatment Options
A detailed biomechanical assessment including visual gait analysis will help identify any gait or alignment issues that might be triggering your hip bursitis.
In some cases of trochanteric bursitis, we may recommend custom orthotics. Custom orthotics will help to alleviate hip bursitis where poor foot, ankle, knee and leg function is placing pressure of the affected hip and triggering ongoing chronic trochanteric bursitis problems.
Physical therapy including massage, stretches and strengthening exercises are also effective ways to help treat hip bursitis symptoms.
Dry Needling involves the insertion of myofascial needles into the trigger points of the muscles surrounding the bursa to release the tension within the muscle. A gentle stretch is then applied to the muscle. You will then be issued with a stretching and strengthening program to be performed at home. It can take 1 – 5 dry needling treatments for resolution of hip bursitis.
If you experience hip pain or suspect that you have trochanteric bursitis or any other bursitis problems pop in and talk to the friendly experts at Erica Dash podiatry.
Our precision diagnostic skills and effective healing tools will have you back on your feet and enjoying your favourite activities as soon as possible.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave is a great alternative to treatments such as dry needling if you’re needle phobic and not keen on dry needling. We also have effective treatment offers for kids.
Orthotics
If you experience foot, knee or leg pain in your daily activities then a professionally fitted custom orthotic could be the answer to your foot problems.
Dry Needling
Dry needle therapy can be very effective in treating a range of conditions including chronic muscle pain, neuromuscular problems, and sports injuries.
Schedule Your Appointment
Erica Dash Podiatry is family friendly treating a wide range of foot and leg complaints of patients of any age or stage of life - See All Podiatrists
Call us at 02 4367 0177 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your podiatry appointment today!