Hip bursitis
There is a variety of information on the internet about trochanteric bursitis of the hip, however, here we develop a compendium of the topics of greatest interest around this pathology.
Contact us
To receive personalized attention
Is hip bursitis treated with surgery?
Most cases with trochanteric bursitis recover without the need for invasive intervention, however, in more severe cases the support of surgery is required to eradicate the patient’s pain and help them recover their quality of life.
Surgical treatment for hip bursitis is performed by arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive surgery where special medical instruments are used to observe the inner part of the hip and repair the bursitis and expand the tibial ilium tissue that in most cases is the one that causes inflammation.
Initially, the doctor may recommend various non-surgical treatments to treat this injury, including some lifestyle changes, physical therapy exercises and even medication with anti-inflammatory and pain drugs.
For this reason, it is important to see an experienced and trusted specialist to recommend the best treatment for hip bursitis.
What is trochanteric bursitis of the hip?
Human beings have a kind of fluid-filled sacs called bursae or synovial sacs that form in the bones and soft tissues to fulfill the role of shock absorber in the joints and thus prevent shock.
The case of hip bursitis defines an injury or condition in the bursa located in the greater trochanter of the hip, this inflammation can be caused by various reasons and produce pain in the affected area of the patient
It is a common syndrome that mostly affects adult women and some men around the age of 50 and 70.
It may also be due to tendinopathy of the hip abductor muscles that are responsible for stabilizing the hip during walking.
Dr. Jose Felix Castillo can help you relieve your hip ailments
Symptoms of hip bursitis include:
This condition is characterized by a peculiar pain that is perceived in the lateral part of the hip, in principle it is an acute discomfort that appears during the patient’s routine activities.
Subsequently, as the inflammation of the bursa increases, the pain limits the patient’s mobility according to the movements that cause pain such as going up or down stairs, standing for a long time, even sitting in some positions.
During rest, pain also appears and even when touched, that is, the patient can perceive discomfort when touching the affected side.
Treatment for trochanteric bursitis of the hip:
Orthopedic pathologies are unpredictable, they are changing according to the patient’s condition, history, type of injury, among other variables that do not allow defining a single treatment but rather creating a specific solution for each case.
Within the consultation, the orthopedic doctor will be able to diagnose hip bursitis. and at the same time define a treatment according to the characteristics of the patient.
Among the treatments we can find:
- Cold therapy, placing ice packs on the painful area.
- Prescription of specific anti-inflammatory medications.
- Notify the patient of hip care techniques during their daily routine to prevent further inflammation.
- Change of footwear for one appropriate for the characteristics of the patient.
- Direct injections or injections to the hip.
- Hip arthroscopy surgery for aggravated cases.
- Physical therapy exercises to stretch, strengthen, and reset the muscles around the hip.
Physiotherapy treatment for bursitis
The attention by the physiotherapist will consist of finding that the iliotibial band is stretched to eliminate friction and as a result decrease the pain. For this, the process begins with the application of cold to the affected area.
Subsequently, a manual mobilization, massage, of the soft tissues is performed without touching the affected area. Stretching exercises of the iliotibial band are also recommended.
In other cases, the use of ultrasound may be recommended to reduce inflammation and speed up the process. It must be taken into account that the process of this physiotherapeutic treatment is long and different between each patient, so patience is recommended.
Stretching exercises are:
The intention of the exercise is to stretch the lateral hip muscle, so it can be proposed that when standing you cross the affected leg above the healthy leg with the help of a wall for balance.
Even sitting on the floor with your legs straight, you bend your leg that hurts and cross over to the side of your healthy leg.
Both exercises stretch the soft area of the hip, the patient must feel comfortable and not overexert themselves if they have pain during the movement.
