What is Trochanteric Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is a condition that causes hip pain. Trochanteric bursitis happens when fluid-filled sacs (bursae) in the hip get irritated. Normally these sacs absorb shock and help strong bands of tissue (tendons) in your hip glide smoothly over each other and over your hip bones.

What are the causes?

This condition results from increased friction between the hip bones and the tendons that go over them. This condition can happen if you:

• Have weak hips.
• Use your hip muscles too much (overuse).
• Get hit in the hip.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in:

• Women.
• Adults who are middle-aged or older.
• People with arthritis or a spinal condition.
• People with weak buttocks muscles (gluteal muscles).
• People who have one leg that is shorter than the other.
• People who participate in certain kinds of athletic activities, such as:
  • Running sports, especially long-distance running.
  • Contact sports, like football or martial arts.
  • Sports in which falls may occur, like skiing.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptom of this condition is pain and tenderness over the point of your hip. The pain may be:

• Sharp and intense.
• Dull and achy.
• Felt on the outside of your thigh.

It may increase when you:

• Lie on your side.
• Walk or run.
• Go up on stairs.
• Sit.
• Stand up after sitting.
• Stand for long periods of time.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• Your medical history.
• A physical exam.
• Imaging tests, such as:
  • X-rays to check your bones.
  • An MRI or ultrasound to check your tendons and muscles.

During your physical exam, your health care provider will check the movement and strength of your hip. He or she may press on the point of your hip to check for pain.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated by:

• Resting.
• Reducing your activity.
• Avoiding activities that cause pain.
• Using crutches, a cane, or a walker to decrease the strain on your hip.
• Taking medicine to help with swelling.
• Having medicine injected into the bursae to help with swelling.
• Using ice, heat, and massage therapy for pain relief.
• Physical therapy exercises for strength and flexibility.
• Surgery (rare).

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

• Rest.
• Avoid activities that cause pain.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If directed, apply heat to the injured area as told by your health care provider.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
  • Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

General instructions

• If the affected leg is one that you use for driving, ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive.
• Use crutches, a cane, or a walker as told by your health care provider.
• If one of your legs is shorter than the other, get fitted for a shoe insert.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.

How is this prevented?

• Wear supportive footwear that is appropriate for your sport.
• If you have hip pain, start any new exercise or sport slowly.
• Maintain physical fitness, including:
  • Strength.
  • Flexibility.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your pain does not improve with 2–4 weeks.

Get help right away if:

• You develop severe pain.
• You have a fever.
• You develop increased redness over your hip.
• You have a change in your bowel function or bladder function.
• You cannot control the muscles in your feet.