Hip bursitis, also called trochanteric bursitis, occurs as a result of trauma, injury, arthritis, or even surgery. This type of bursitis is usually associated with over-stressing or repetitive use of areas around your joints. In most cases, middle-age or older women are more prone to developing hip bursitis. In the United States, it affects 15% of women and 8.5% of men of all ages.
Bursitis doesn’t only happen in the hip. It can also occur in the elbow joints, shoulder, and knee. Continue reading to learn more about hip bursitis, its symptoms, risks factors, and treatment options.
What is hip bursitis?
Hip bursitis is a painful condition that affects the tiny sacs in your hip called bursae, and there are two common types of bursitis:
- Acute bursitis – This condition usually occurs over hours or days and permanently goes away.
- Chronic bursitis – This condition can last from a few days to several weeks. In some cases, it can come back after a while.
What are the symptoms of hip bursitis?
Some of the common symptoms of hip bursitis include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Muscle stiffness
- Warmth feeling in the affected area
The pain is most painful in the first few days, then subsides later on. The pain is noticeable especially when you try to make normal movements like standing up, sitting for a long time, getting out of a chair, or trying to sleep in the affected area. Over time, when the bursae becomes thick the swelling becomes worse which limits your movement and weakens your muscle in the front or side of the hip.
What are the most common causes of hip bursitis?
There are several factors that can lead to hip bursitis, and below are some of the causes associated with the development of hip bursitis:
- Gout
- Diabetes
- Hip injury
- Back injury
- Obesity
- Overuse or stress of the hip
- Spine problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Uneven leg lengths
- Previous surgery
- Infection with bacteria
- Other lower body conditions
How is hip bursitis diagnosed?
To diagnose hip bursitis, an orthopedic doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination first by asking questions about your symptoms then perform tests to rule out other possible conditions. These tests may include lab tests, X-rays, bone scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scans.
What are the treatment options?
For acute cases, surgery is not part of the initial treatment. We’ve seen patients with hip bursitis experience relief by simply improving and changing their lifestyle. However, chronic cases may require proper medication and treatment to address pain issues in the hip.
Non-surgical treatment:
- Change of lifestyle
- Modification of activities (especially extreme sports or outdoor activities)
- Pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Assistive device
- Steroid injection
Surgical treatment:
- Surgery
If you are experiencing undesirable pain in the back or hip area, we advise that you seek a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. For those in need of orthopedic doctors in Boca Raton or orthopedic doctors in Boynton Beach, our practice is the leading provider of orthopedic care in both locations.
What happens if hip bursitis goes untreated?
Acute bursitis can become chronic if it comes back or a hip injury occurs. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent thickening or enlargement of the bursa. As a result, the patient will have a limited use of the affected joint that leads to decreased physical activity and loss of surrounding muscle.
How to prevent hip bursitis?
You can’t always prevent bursitis, but some steps lower your risk. Here are some preventive measures
- Don’t sit for too long
- Maintain a proper posture all day
- Keep your hips flexible and your legs strong
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Do stretching and warm ups before exercising
- Follow proper guidelines when playing sports
- Take regular breaks when doing repetitive tasks
- Gradually build up your pace to athletic activities
- Avoid lifting heavy loads; use a trolly or cart instead
- If you hurt your back or hip, immediately stop and seek professional advice
Get hip bursitis orthopedic treatment near you – Orthopaedic Surgery Associates
If you are experiencing pain in your hip, it is best to see a doctor. At Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, we have a team of excellent orthoprdic doctors at who can assist you with the right diagnosis and treatment.
If you are experiencing bursitis or other forms of hip pain and problems, our medical experts including our hip specialists and hip replacement surgeons in Boca Raton are here to help. We have some of the best orthopedic surgeons and specialists in the area.
Schedule your next doctor’s appointment today!
If you would like more information about our services, please contact us.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
