What is trochanteric bursitis?

Trochanteric bursitis is inflamed swelling near your hip joint. It's one type of bursitis.

Bursitis is inflammation in a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa—bursae-the plural of bursa-cushion spaces around bones and other tissue. Think of them as bubble wrap protecting structures throughout your body.

The space where your femur, or your thigh bone, meets your pelvis is your hip joint. The greater trochanter is the bony projection from the top outer edge of your femur. Trochanteric bursitis occurs when your bursa in your greater trochanter becomes inflamed, irritated, or deteriorates.

Get seen by a doctor if you're experiencing hip pain. This should happen, especially if it worsens or does not subside within a couple of weeks.

What are the symptoms of trochanteric bursitis?

Common symptom of trochanteric bursitis is hip ache. You may feel pain in these regions.

• On the outside of your hip.
• In the side of your upper thigh.
• In your buttock (your buttock).
• When lying on either the painful side.
• It's worse when you stand up from sitting.
• It is worse when you move or use your hip, especially for walking up stairs.

What causes trochanteric bursitis?

Anything that irritates or damages the bursa in the area around your great trochanter will cause you to develop trochanteric bursitis. Most commonly, this is because of repetitive actions, such as lifting heavy boxes at work, going up and down a lot of stairs or standing for a long time, and playing sports or doing physical activity that puts a lot of stress on your hips (such as cycling or running).

• Hip Injuries: You can injure your hip joint by falling, bumping into something, or lying on one hip for a long time. These things can cause bursitis and other sports-related injuries that may irritate your bursa.
• Problems with your posture: Medical conditions that alter the anatomy of your hip joint or lumbar spine-your lower back-can put pressure on your bursa. Scoliosis, spurs on the hip bones, having two legs not the same length, and calcium deposits in the tendons that connect to your hip can all cause bursitis.

What causes trochanteric bursitis?

Anyone can develop trochanteric bursitis, especially after an injury like a fall. However, some people are more prone to bursitis, include:

• Athletes
• Individuals who have occupation or have occupied themselves in labor.
• Individuals who have undergone hip surgery.

In addition to the above conditions, apart from predisposing, bursitis comprises:

• Arthritis, especially inflammatory arthritis like gout and psoriatic arthritis
• Psoriasis
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders

How is trochanteric bursitis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can assess trochanteric bursitis by examining you physically. They will ask you about any symptoms you have and explore the region around your affected hip. Let your provider know what you were doing when you first became aware of symptoms and if you have any jobs or hobbies that require you to perform a repetitive motion or place stress on your hips.

What tests can healthcare providers use to diagnose trochanteric bursitis?

Your doctor might perform some tests to find out whether there is bursitis or not, including the following:

• X-rays to rule out other conditions
• Ultrasound or MRI, which is a type of magnetic resonance imaging, to take pictures of the swollen bursa.

What is the best way to treat trochanteric bursitis?

Usually, you will only be required to rest and recover from trochanteric bursitis. Prevent the activities or positions that irritate the greater trochanter bursa.

Resting from activities that cause strain on your hip will give the bursa a chance to recover. Talk with your provider about how long you'll need to relax and avoid certain physical activities.

Other treatments for trochanteric bursitis might include:

• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Don't take pain medicines for more than ten days straight without talking to your provider.
• Use canes and crutches to reduce the bulk of loads put on your hip and decrease pressure on the hip.
• You can have physical therapy to strengthen the region around the injured hip. A physiotherapist will give you various stretches and exercises.
• Minimize inflammation and pain with the help of corticosteroid injections.
• Surgery to take out your bursa if other treatments don't work and symptoms are present for more than six months. In most people, trochanteric bursitis is not a condition that needs surgery.

How can I prevent trochanteric bursitis?

Preventing trochanteric bursitis starts by avoiding overuse of the hips:

• Properly learn how to stand or move to prevent it in sports or work activities.
• New exercises or activities must also be gradually introduced to avoid injuries.
• Lie on your side as little as possible for as long as possible.
• Take regular breaks if you have to perform a repetitive action.

Will trochanteric bursitis ever go away?

In most cases, trochanteric bursitis does recover after weeks or months of rest and treatment. If a repetitive motion or activity causes bursitis, you are more likely to experience another occurrence. Talk to your doctor about how you can reduce stress on your hips.

Do not ignore hip pain. You could make an acute injury worse by putting more stress on your hip before seeking medical care.

Will I need to take time out of work or school if I have trochanteric bursitis?

If a repetitive motion at work or school triggers your trochanteric bursitis, you could need to be absent while healing. Share your routine with your provider. They will let you know which aspects of it need to be altered or removed while your inflamed bursa rests.

Living With

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

You should consult a healthcare provider whenever you experience pain that prevents you from doing your daily activities. You must see a provider when hip pain doesn't get any better within a week or two after you have been resting and done some home remedies.

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

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