Hip Bursitis

What is Hip Bursitis?

Hip bursitis is a painful condition caused by the inflammation of a bursa in the hip. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs present in the joints between bone and soft tissue to reduce friction and provide cushioning during movement.

The bony prominence of the hip is called greater trochanter and is present on the outer side of the upper thighbone or femur. The bursa overlying it is called trochanteric bursa. Another bursa is located towards the groin region and is called iliopsoas bursa. Bursitis of the trochanteric bursa is more common than that of iliopsoas bursa.

Causes of Hip Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is often associated with sports such as football and soccer, which involve a lot of running. These sports can lead to overuse and irritation of the bursa, causing inflammation. Bursitis may sometimes result from an injury or fall on your hip, or after a surgical procedure of the hip.

Certain spine diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and leg length inequality increase your risk for developing hip bursitis.

Symptoms of Hip Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis results in pain on the outer side of the hip, which usually increases with prolonged walking or climbing stairs. The pain is felt more while getting up from a chair and lying down on the affected side. The inflammation of the iliopsoas bursa, however, results in pain in the groin region.

Diagnosis of Hip Bursitis

A physical examination of the hip that indicates tenderness and swelling around the painful bursitis confirms the diagnosis of hip bursitis. To check for any bone spurs that could be causing irritation of the bursa your doctor may order an X-ray. If the reason for the pain is not very clear, your doctor may order an MRI to view the soft tissues and structures not visible on an X-ray.

Treatment Options for Hip Bursitis

The treatment goals for bursitis are focused on resolving inflammation and pain. Rest is advised and activities causing the bursitis pain are restricted. Anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain. Physical therapy and treatments with heat, ice, and ultrasound are sometimes recommended. An injection of corticosteroid medicine may be administered to reduce the inflammation. Sometimes, a second injection is necessary if the pain returns after a few months. These non-surgical treatments provide relief from hip bursitis in most cases.

Exercises for Trochanteric Bursitis

Why Choose Dr. Christian Eccles for Hip Bursitis

Pain on the outside of your hip has several possible causes, and getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward relief. Here is how we help:

• Hip expertise for an accurate diagnosis: As a fellowship-trained hip and knee specialist, Dr. Eccles can help tell whether your pain is coming from bursitis, hip arthritis, or another source.
• Thorough evaluation: We start with a careful physical exam and may order an X-ray to look for bone spurs, or an MRI if the cause of your pain is not clear.
• Conservative treatment first: Most hip bursitis improves without surgery. We typically begin with rest and activity changes, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, heat or ice, and a corticosteroid injection when needed.
• Exercises you can do at home: We provide trochanteric bursitis exercises you can download from this page to support your recovery between visits.
• Two convenient Gilbert offices: We see patients at our North Gilbert and South Gilbert offices, close to home for families in Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler, and Mesa.

Hip Bursitis FAQs

What does hip bursitis feel like?

Trochanteric bursitis usually causes pain on the outside of your hip that worsens with long walks, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, or lying on that side. Bursitis of the iliopsoas bursa, which is less common, causes pain in the groin instead.

How is hip bursitis different from hip arthritis?

Bursitis is inflammation of a small cushioning sac outside the joint, while arthritis is wear of the cartilage inside the joint and often causes groin pain and stiffness. An exam and X-rays help us tell the two apart, which matters because the treatments are different.

Will a cortisone injection help?

A corticosteroid injection can reduce inflammation and pain for many people. If your pain returns after a few months, a second injection is sometimes needed.

Will I need surgery for hip bursitis?

Surgery is rarely needed. Non-surgical treatments relieve hip bursitis in most cases, and if your symptoms persist, we will re-evaluate the cause with you.