Hip Bursitis
A bursa is like a small, very thin, fluid-filled sac found in several joints throughout the body. This small sac acts as a cushion in the joint and lubricates structures that are exposed to more friction.
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What is hip bursitis?
It is an inflammation of the trochanteric bursa in the hip joint.
What is the trochanteric bursa?
A bursa is like a small, very thin, fluid-filled sac found in several joints throughout the body. This small sac acts as a cushion in the joint and lubricates structures that are exposed to more friction.
"At the hip, we have the trochanteric bursa located on the side of the hip, which allows the tendons of the muscles to slide smoothly during movement. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it is called bursitis."
What are the causes of hip bursitis?
Irritation of the bursa can be primarily caused by:
- Repetitive hip movements that are not properly managed (running, mountain hiking, or other leg exercises)
- A direct trauma to the side of the hip (falling on the side of the body, receiving a blow)
A classic example leading to the development of bursitis is when a person starts running a lot without properly managing the progression.
More rarely, bursitis can be caused by an infection or rheumatoid arthritis. See the inflammatory arthritis section (coming soon).
What are the risk factors for developing hip bursitis?
Hip bursitis is more commonly found in the following groups:
- Women are more prone to hip bursitis than men (especially women aged 45 to 65)
- Athletes or sports enthusiasts who participate in sports with repetitive leg movements or jumping (hockey, volleyball, basketball)
What are the symptoms of hip bursitis?
The most common symptoms are:
- Pain in one hip on the side of the hip
- The pain is increased by:
- Walking
- Climbing stairs or hiking
- Running
- Standing on one leg
- Lying on your side
- Crossing your legs while sitting
How is hip bursitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is possible based on the history of symptoms and a clinical examination.
For elderly people who have fallen, an X-ray will absolutely be taken first because elderly people are more at risk of hip fractures during falls. This is especially the case for elderly people who have more osteoporosis.
When should you consult a physiotherapist for hip bursitis?
You should consult a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above or if your doctor has already ruled out any other cause that may be responsible for your pain.
You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.
What are the physiotherapy treatments for hip bursitis?
Your physiotherapist will perform an evaluation to determine the cause of your bursitis by assessing the following elements:
- Your joint mobility
- The gliding of your nerves
- The quality of your movements
- Your strength and stability
Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:
- Mobilize your hip to reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
- Provide you with specific exercises to retrain the control of your hip movements.
- Give you exercises to regain mobility, reduce pain and regain your muscle strength.
- Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities and hobbies to optimize healing
- Give you advice for your posture and movements.
What can you do at home for hip bursitis?
Temporarily stop doing movements that cause too much pain, and then gradually start doing them again. Here are some tips that may help:
- Practice transfer activities that reduce stress on the hip:
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Avoid the following positions:
- Standing while leaning to one side.
- Sitting with your legs crossed.
- Lying on your side (both sides). If you are unable to sleep on your back, place at least one pillow between your thighs when lying on your side.
- Avoid stretching the iliotibial band.
- If you are a runner, incorporate walking minutes into your running outings.
- Do gluteal strengthening exercises.
If you don't see any improvement after 10 days, you should consult a physiotherapist.
If you think your bursitis is due to trauma, a blow, or an accident, you should follow the PEACE & LOVE acronym, as with any acute injury. See the article (coming soon).
If you are a runner, please refer to the blog post on running (link to come) for practical tips for running.
Sources
- Seidman AJ, Varacallo M. Trochanteric bursitis.
- Dubois, B. (2019). « The Running Clinic, health through running ». Mons Eds.
- Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE.
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