If you are experiencing ongoing pain in the front or side of your hips after exercising, it could be a sign of hip bursitis, also known as trochanteric bursitis. This condition involves bursa inflammation that results in excessive pain and stiffness in the hip area.
The bursa is a small sac that resembles jelly and produces synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant. This fluid helps reduce friction between muscles, tendons, and bones, enabling the joints to move freely. It functions as a cushion between these structures and facilitates smooth movement.
According to research, when left untreated, hip bursitis may cause worsening effects and even lead to disability. Therefore it is essential to opt for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment to resolve the condition as early as possible. Learn more about hip bursitis symptoms causes, treatment, and more.
Causes of Hip Bursitis
There are over 150 bursae in your body, two of which are in the hips, such as the trochanteric bursa (covers the outside region of the hip bone) and iliopsoas bursa (located on the inside region of the hip).
Hip bursitis can occur in any individual regardless of gender or age. However, studies show it is highly diagnosed in women and older people. Here are some of the common hip bursitis causes.
- Overuse or Repetitive Hip Stress
Hip bursitis typically occurs due to prolonged, repeated activities like stair climbing, gardening, standing, walking, or running. The repetitive stress on the hip or thigh bone might develop a bone spur, increasing your chances of bursitis.
- Trauma or Direct Impact Injuries
When you face sudden falling on the outside of the hip or harsh banging at the hip region on any solid surface can cause the bursa to get filled with blood and lining, resulting in inflammation. Though the body will reabsorb the accumulated blood, the lining will remain inflamed. Such trauma or direct impact injury-causing condition is called traumatic hip bursitis.
- Medical Conditions (Arthritis or Gout)
Certain medical conditions, especially those that affect your lower body, including the spine, knees, legs, and hips, can cause bursitis in the hip. Some conditions, such as osteoarthritis, scoliosis, pinched nerves, and gout, can cause instability and raise your risk of developing the condition.
- Poor Posture or Gait
Poor or slouching sitting posture or gait is another common cause of hip bursitis. Sitting or walking with unhealthy posture without the right support will exert excess pressure on the bursa on your hips, resulting in inflammation.
Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis is painful. Learning the symptoms will facilitate a quicker and more successful recovery. Below are some early hip bursitis symptoms you must know.
- Pain, Tenderness, or Swelling in the Hip Area
You will feel pain or tenderness in or outside the hip region or the upper parts of the thighs. Swelling will occur on the outside of the hip, which will be visible if a large amount of fluid is accumulated in the joints.
- Difficulty Moving or Walking
It will be difficult to perform a simple task such as walking or moving things due to the reduced strength of the muscles.
- Stiffness in the Hip Joint
You might notice sudden stiffness in the hip joint or tight hip muscles due to the excess pressure on the outside parts.
- Pain That Worsens With Activity
The dull, ache pain will increase in intensity when you do activities that cause repetitive stress on your hip joints, like climbing stairs or sitting for a prolonged time.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Hip Bursitis
- RICE Therapy
This home remedy involves the following steps.
- Rest – Avoiding activities that cause strain on your hips
- Ice – Apply ice on the affected area instantly after the injury to diminish the swelling. You can use cold packs for 20 minutes several times a day.
- Compressing – Wrap the affected area lightly in a soft bandage to prevent further inflammation/
- Elevation – Rest your body with your leg raised higher than your heart.
- Physical Therapy and Stretching Exercises
Physical therapy will assist you in performing effective hip bursitis exercises that will increase the strength and flexibility of your muscles. Therapists might also implement other techniques, such as stretching exercises and massaging muscles and joints with a foam roller to enhance mobility.
- Medications (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
NSAID medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen can be one of the best non-surgical treatment options to relieve pain from bursitis. It is generally prescribed for at least 2-3 weeks.
- Injections, such as corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
As a part of regenerative therapy, corticosteroids or PRP injections are prescribed to ease the pain of the condition. The anti-inflammatory properties of the minimally-invasive therapy will also reduce the swelling in the hi bursal area.
Surgical Treatment Options for Hip Bursitis
- Bursectomy
Hip bursitis doesn’t involve surgery often in the treatment plan. However, in rare cases, doctors suggest a bursectomy to remove the infected bursa and prevent future consequences.
- Hip Arthroscopy
It is a same-day outpatient and minimally invasive surgical procedure for inflamed bursae.
- Open Hip Surgery
Open hip surgery is suggested for the severe condition of bursitis and is an efficient way to rectify the issue while preserving your healthy hip joint.
Rehabilitation and Post-Treatment Care
- Importance of Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation for hip bursitis improves the quality of your life by addressing the weaknesses in your muscles and joints. The experts prioritize building a strategic rehabilitation plan to improve your range of motion and strength as well as restore your functional mobility.
- Recovery Time and Follow-up Appointments
The recovery time varies depending on the individual’s lifestyle and the severity of the condition. In general, the recovery period will be a month or two with regular follow-ups with your doctor.
Moreover, younger people who have better health tend to recover more quickly than older people. It is important to ensure you are coordinating the recovery plans with your healthcare professional regularly.
- Tips for preventing future hip bursitis
- Maintain healthy weight by consuming a nutritious diet
- Follow strength and flexibility training to ensure the endurance of hip muscles.
- Avoid doing repetitive activities that stress your hip joints and muscles.
- Wear supportive and comfortable footwear.
- Sustain the good posture
- Always listen to your body to avoid severe injury
Summing Up!
When it comes to the health status of your hips, bursitis is not something you want to be diagnosed with. The condition will make even a simple task extremely painful, and prolonged conditions might lead to permanent damage.
However, it is possible to reduce the severity of the condition early and prevent it from developing again. You can end your hip pain with the right hip bursitis treatment approach and careful preventative measures like regular exercises and a healthy diet.