Trochanteric Bursitis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Approaches

Inflammation of a hip bursa causes trochanteric bursitis. Joints are cushioned by fluid-filled bursae. Trochanteric bursitis affects hips. Hip specialists in Dallas or physical therapists can teach hip healing stretches.

What is Trochanteric Bursitis?

Hip pain doctors in Dallas define trochanteric bursitis is inflammation in the bursa that surrounds the hip's trochanter. Your lower outside hip will hurt, and moving will cause pain. Lying on the hip or applying pressure will also cause pain. 

Trochanteric Bursitis Causes

Common causes of trochanteric bursitis include:

• Bad posture

• Injury to the hip 

• Running and biking cause hip joint friction and rapid movement. 

• You can also get trochanteric bursitis from a tight IT band. The outside of your leg has a thick band of tissue from hip to knee. IT bands that are too tight can rub against the trochanteric bursa, causing lower back hip pain and inflammation. 

• Hip pain in women is common and especially runners have tight IT bands. Hip bursitis is more likely in this group for this reason.

Trochanteric Bursitis Symptoms

Most trochanteric bursitis symptoms involve hip pain. Pain may occur: 

• Outside your hip. 

• In your upper thigh side. 

• In your butt. 

• While lying on the affected side. 

• Standing up after sitting worsens that.

• Moving your hip, lying on that side, or pressing on it may worsen it.

• Swelling, tenderness, and warmth may also occur around the hip, near the bony bump on the thigh. 

• Pain may spread to the leg. 

Treatments for Trochanteric Bursitis

Following are the few best treatments for trochanteric bursitis: 

Medicinal Management 

GTPS bursitis and hip pain treatments can be treated with corticosteroid injections, but only temporarily. PRP is also a viable option. NSAIDs may relieve acute GTPS or sciatica hip pain. NSAIDs may slow tendon healing in chronic GTPS. Antibiotics and NSAIDs treat septic bursitis. NSAIDs may not be enough; corticosteroid injections can be used. Treatment for trochanteric bursitis lasts 6–18 months and uses antibiotics. 

Surgery Management 

Surgery for septic arthritis is indicated by significant swelling, severe cases that don't respond to antibiotics, or chronic or recurrent cases.  Operational interventions: 

• Suction irrigation

• Systemic antibiotics and needle aspiration.

• If aspiration fails, cut and drain.  

• Bursectomy

Surgery is only recommended for GTPS if conservative bursitis hip treatment fails or if a significant tendon tear exists. Safe and effective GTPS surgery without a tendon tear includes:

• Bursectomy (arthroscopic) 

• Iliotibial tract release 

• ITT bursectomy 

Preventive Exercises 

Hip stability and injury prevention can be achieved by strengthening your thighs. Try these trochanteric bursitis exercises: 

Hip Bridges

•  Lay on your back with knees bent and feet flat.

•  Raise your hips to meet your shoulders and knees. 

• Bring your hips down slowly. 

• Make 5 sets of 20 reps. 

• Lying lateral leg raises 

• Rest on your right. 

• Balance by extending your right arm. 

• Lift your left leg as high as possible, then lower it. 

• Four sets of 15 repetitions per leg.

Lying Leg Circles 

• Lay on your back with legs extended. 

• Make small circles with your left leg raised 3 inches.

• Three times, rotate each leg five times.

How is Trochanteric Bursitis Diagnosed? 

A doctor will examine you to diagnose trochanteric bursitis. You'll describe your symptoms and have your hip examined. Tell your doctor what you were doing before symptoms appeared and if any jobs or hobbies require repetitive motion or hip stress. Pain management in Dallas may recommend these bursitis tests: 

• X-rays to rule out other issues. 

• Ultrasound or MRI to photograph the swollen bursa.

How Can I Avoid Bursitis? 

Follow these steps to avoid getting bursitis: 

• Warm up before you work out, play sports, or do things that you do over and over.

• As you begin a new sport or exercise, go slowly. Gradually make the body work harder.

• When doing things over and over, take breaks often.

• Protect joints that are "at risk" by wearing elbow or knee pads.

• Stop doing things that hurt.

• Stand up straight.

• Daily activities require proper body positioning. 

• If you don't let your hip heal, it may return or worsen. Your hip pain specialist near me may advise rest and hip treatment.

Risk Factors for Trochanteric Bursitis 

Trochanteric bursitis has several risk factors. Among them: 

• Trochanteric bursitis is common in adults over 40. 

• Men are less likely to get trochanteric bursitis than women. 

• Obesity: Hip pressure from obesity can cause bursitis. 

• Repetitive motions can strain the hip and cause bursitis. 

• Hip injuries increase the risk of bursitis. 

• Arthritis: Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis increase trochanteric bursitis risk. 

Knowing the symptoms of trochanteric bursitis can help you get treatment if you have any of these risk factors. 

Note from Premier Pain Centers