If you are experiencing an aching, stiffness, tenderness or sharp pain alongside your hip and upper thigh that just won’t ease, you may have hip bursitis. An inflammatory condition, it is a common cause of hip pain, especially in those who are over the age of 50.
When it comes to the causes, symptoms and treatment options for hip bursitis, we have you covered. In this guide, you will learn everything that you need to know so you can effectively diagnose your condition and relieve your pain.
What is Hip Bursitis? A Simple Explanation
In understanding hip bursitis, it is crucial to start with the bursae. Bursae are small sacs that are filled with synovial fluid. They are responsible for cushioning your joint by reducing friction in between the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments as you move.
When these sacs get inflamed or irritated, you may experience symptoms such as stiffness, aching and pain in and around the joint. Hip bursitis is commonly diagnosed when over 10 of these sacs are experiencing inflammation. A complex condition, there are a number of types of hip bursitis that you could be suffering with:
- Trochanteric bursitis, which affects the sacs cushioning the greater trochanter.
- Iliopsoas bursitis, which affects the sacs that cushion hip flexors.
- Ischial bursitis, which affects the sacs cushioning the bones at the bottom of the pelvis.
- Septic bursitis, which occurs when your bursae become infected.
Common Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
Symptoms of hip bursitis will differ from patient to patient. If you are experiencing any of the following, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and treatment options.
- Pain: The most common symptom of hip bursitis is pain. This could present itself as a dull ache in the outer thigh, a pain that radiates throughout the thigh, or a sharp pain that is worsened through physical activity.
- Stiffness:Another common symptom of hip bursitis is stiffness in and around the hip joint. If you are feeling less mobility in the hip that does not improve within a few days alongside other symptoms, it could be worth speaking with an orthopaedic hip specialist.
- Tenderness:If your hip and upper thigh area is tender to the touch, perhaps feeling warmer or more swollen than the surrounding areas, then it could be hip bursitis. You may also experience increased pain when lying on that side during the night.
With the risk of septic hip bursitis rare but serious, you should also look out for feverous symptoms such as a high temperature, feelings of hot and cold, redness and excessive swelling. If any of these occur, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Identifying the Causes and Risk Factors
Hip bursitis has a range of causes and risk factors. From repetitive stress to overuse, obesity to tightened muscles, many factors could be responsible for causing excess strain on the joint. Common causes include:
- Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
- Poor posture.
- Hip trauma or prior surgery.
- Disparity in your leg length.
- Some spinal conditions such as scoliosis.
There are also factors that could put you more at risk of suffering with hip bursitis. These include your occupation if it involves frequent kneeling, crouching or ladder work, and any existing medical conditions such as arthritis, thyroid disease, diabetes and psoriasis.
A Guide to Treatment Options: From At-Home Care to Medical Intervention
When it comes to treating hip bursitis, there are a number of options available to you that range from at-home care to medical intervention.
RICE Therapy
Rest, ice, compression, elevation therapy is a good place to start for relieving symptoms of hip bursitis. When you first feel pain, you should stop activity, apply ice for 20-minute intervals and elevate your leg. After a few days, you should apply moist heat to promote blood circulation.
Medication
Following RICE therapy, you may want to take some over-the-counter pain medications to relieve symptoms further. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen will help to reduce inflammation.
Physical Therapy
Next comes physical therapy. Similar to repairing a hip labral tear, a physiotherapist will be able to give you exercises that will effectively stretch and strengthen the muscles in and around your hip joint for long term relief.
Surgery
If conservative treatment options are not bringing relief, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery. This will commonly be in the form of removing inflamed bursae. In rare cases, a hip replacement may be required. If this is the case, it is helpful understanding the hip replacement recovery timeline before deciding on surgery.
Preventing a Recurrence: Lifestyle and Activity Modifications
Once you have recovered from hip bursitis, it’s important to make lifestyle and activity modifications that reduce the risk of reoccurrence. These include:
- Improving your posture to reduce stress on the joint.
- Taking breaks regularly if your work involves kneeling or crouching.
- Choosing ergonomic chairs if you spend prolonged periods of time sitting down.
- Refining how you perform physical exercise to ease strain on the joint.
If you are unsure of the best way to prevent a reoccurrence, it’s recommended that you speak with a specialist. They will be able to offer personalised advice that caters to your lifestyle.
When to see a Doctor for Hip Bursitis
In some cases, it’s necessary to seek the advice from your doctor for relief from hip bursitis. Firstly, if you are experiencing any symptoms of fever or infection, you should see a medical professional immediately.
Otherwise, it’s recommended to make an appointment if your pain is severe or develops rapidly. If your pain is milder but does not improve with the self-care advice outlined in this guide, you should make an appointment. This is often the point where patients start asking how do you know if you need a hip replacement, especially if stiffness and reduced movement are getting worse over time. And generally, if you are concerned at all about your symptoms, you should seek advice.
Speak to an Expert Today
If you suspect that you are suffering with any type of hip bursitis, get in touch with Dr David Slattery. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, he can provide advice on how best to treat your condition. Get started today by completing an online enquiry form or calling 03 5752 5020.
