Individuals with hip bursitis often experience discomfort during physical activity, walking, and pain when lying on the affected side. What treatment options are available to control and manage the condition?

Understanding Hip Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis, also known as trochanteric bursitis, is a common condition that causes pain and discomfort in the hip and upper thigh along the outside of the hip joint. It occurs when one of the hip’s bursae, or fluid-filled sacs cushion joints, becomes inflamed. Treatment for hip bursitis is to control the inflammation caused by this condition.

Causes

Hip bursitis can be caused by injury or overuse of the hip, such as repetitive activities, twisting, or rapid joint movement. It can also be caused by a direct blow or fall to the side of the hip.

Symptoms

  • Pain from hip bursitis can be sharp at first and may feel dull and achy later.
  • It may be worse when standing up after sitting, moving, or using the hip.
  • Individuals may also notice pain when lying on the affected side or sitting for a long time.

Rest

This means a period of not participating in physical, exercise, and sports activities that aggravate symptoms. Any activity that causes hip pain should be avoided as this only contributes to inflammation of the bursa. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2022) Modifying how particular activities are performed can help alleviate pressure on the inflamed bursa. Working with a physical therapist can also be recommended. They are experts in movement and alignment, and if certain muscles are overused compared to others, this can lead to unhealthy movement patterns, causing bursa irritation.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, etc., will help control inflammation (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2022). Anti-inflammatory medications can be extremely effective but should be taken cautiously. The instructions on the label need to be followed unless directed otherwise by a healthcare provider. Be aware of side effects and inform the healthcare provider if side effects present.

Cold Therapy

Applying ice to the hip area often helps alleviate the symptoms (National Library of Medicine, 2022). Ice can control inflammation by decreasing blood circulation to the area, especially after physical activity and exercise.

Aspiration

A needle is placed into the bursa to drain the fluid for those with a significant amount of fluid collected within the bursa. (National Library of Medicine, 2022) This is rarely needed in cases of hip bursitis, but when it is done, it can be combined with a cortisone injection.

Cortisone Injections

A cortisone injection may also be given into the bursa to alleviate pain. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2022) The cortisone injection is helpful because it can be a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. In cases where hip bursitis may be one of several diagnoses being considered, cortisone can be given to see if it helps alleviate symptoms. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that can be administered directly to the problem area. These injections are well-tolerated, but there can be possible side effects. Once the initial symptoms are under control, physical therapy strengthening and stretching exercises may be recommended.

Stretching

Most find relief by stretching the muscles and tendons over the outside of the hip, specifically the iliotibial band. The goal is for a better-conditioned muscle and tendon to glide more easily and not cause inflammation. Proper stretching techniques and posture are important in re-injury prevention.

Physical Therapy

Working with a physical therapist is an effective adjunct treatment for bursitis (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2022). Physical therapists correct muscle imbalances through stretching and exercise and improve alignment to prevent bursa irritation from reoccurring.

Surgery

Most patients get better with conservative treatment within about six weeks. Surgical treatment for hip bursitis is rarely needed (UCSF Health, 2024). Those who do not rest from their activities until the inflammation subsides often have a return of bursitis symptoms, and those who return too aggressively to activities and do not gradually build up also find that their symptoms return. In cases where surgery is needed, the healthcare provider may recommend an arthroscopic bursectomy. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2022) The surgery is an outpatient minimally invasive procedure in which the bursa is removed through a small incision. After a short healing period, the individual can return to normal activity. Crutches may be used for a few days. Common complications are anesthetic-related complications and infection.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

As with any treatment program, always talk with your healthcare provider before initiating specific treatments. Fortunately, treatment of hip bursitis is generally accomplished with conservative therapies. Efforts to limit pressure directly on the bursa, alleviate inflammation, and restore normal movement to the hip joint will typically resolve symptoms. At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, we focus on what works for you to relieve pain and restore function. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other associated medical professionals to integrate into a treatment plan to improve the body’s flexibility and mobility, resolve musculoskeletal issues, and prevent future pain symptoms from reoccurring.


The Chiropractic Approach for Pain Relief


References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022). Hip bursitis. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-bursitis

National Library of Medicine. (2022). Bursitis: Learn More – How can bursitis be treated? InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525763/

UCSF Health. (2024). Trochanteric bursitis treatments. www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/trochanteric-bursitis

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Understanding Hip Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Previous articleWhy Stress Reduction is Key to Restoring Gut Health
Next articleUnveiling the Nutritional Benefits of Ghee in Cooking
Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.