HIP BURSITIS
What Our Patients Say
“Very personable, friendly and professional. Excellent bedside manner. Took the time to discuss what was going on, reviewed reports already obtained and then did a thorough exam. Administered an injection for bursitis but didn’t stop there. Staff went above and beyond and got a CT scan approved and we were able to get it done the same day…which we really appreciated.” — Debbie L.
Hip Bursitis Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery
Reviewed by Dr. David Crawford
Hip bursitis is a condition where the bursae in the hip joint become inflamed. The bursae are fluid-filled sacs that are located near the joints of your body. They act as cushions between the bones and soft tissue, reducing friction during movements.
The hip has two bursae on each side. There is one on the outside of the hip, on the greater trochanter, and one on the inside of the hip, in the groin. When the outer bursae are inflamed, it is called trochanteric bursitis. Hip bursitis can cause pain and a reduced range of motion in your hip joint.
If you are experiencing hip pain, schedule an appointment with JIS Orthopedics today. We have offices conveniently located in New Albany and St. Clairsville, OH. Our hip specialists look forward to answering any questions you may have.
How Does Hip Bursitis Feel?
The inflamed bursa can cause sharp and intense pain at the hip and the area on the outside of your thigh. Over time, the pain from hip bursitis can be described as a dull ache that spreads further across the thigh.
The pain is usually worse at night, when lying on your hip, and when you stand up after sitting. Walking, stair climbing, and even squatting can also aggravate your discomfort.
How to Diagnose Hip Bursitis
An orthopedic doctor will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis of hip bursitis. The symptoms of hip bursitis can be confused with other hip problems, such as snapping hip syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, and iliotibial band syndrome. Thus, a specialist should be able to rule out these conditions before continuing with any treatment.
Your orthopedic doctor will perform a comprehensive physical exam in order to get an accurate hip bursitis diagnosis. To rule out any other conditions, they may request imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or bone imaging.
How to Prevent Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis can flare up when you exercise or perform other activities that engage your hip muscles. In order to prevent hip bursitis, you could try the following suggestions:
- Avoid activities that put stress on your hip
- Do exercises that will strengthen your hip muscles and keep them flexible
- Use a shoe insert to correct any leg length differences
- Lose weight if necessary
- Use a cane to relieve pressure
How to Treat Hip Bursitis
Hip surgery is not usually necessary to treat hip bursitis. The most common way to treat hip bursitis is through non-surgical treatments. Below are some of the most common methods for treating hip bursitis.
- Ice packs: Ice can be used to reduce inflammation and joint pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications can be effective in reducing inflammation and pain. It could include medicine such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can prescribe exercises that will strengthen hip muscles and help them to be more flexible.
- Steroid injections: A corticosteroid injection may be effective in relieving pain for many months. However, it’s important that the cause of the bursitis be treated, as the effects of the injection will eventually wear off.
Address Your Hip Pain Today!
If you are experiencing hip pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with JIS Orthopedics today. Our expert hip specialists have offices conveniently located in New Albany and St. Clairsville, OH.
We look forward to answering any questions you may have and helping you get back to doing the things you love!
