Hip bursitis takes away a lot of quality of life from the person who suffers from it, due to the pain that accompanies it. COPAC’s specialized team is trained to assess this and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system; They will also answer your questions and help you choose the treatment methods that provide the greatest therapeutic benefit.
Hip bursitis is an inflammatory process where the bursae of this joint become irritated and inflamed. Generally, the most affected bursa is the one located in the greater trochanter of the hip (upper part of the femur) and is called trochanteric or trochanteric bursitis.
Hip bursitis has a variable intensity in each person, so some may manifest acute symptoms that are overcome in a few days, or failing that, chronic and repetitive episodes that can last for weeks.
It is important that the affected person pays attention to the signs and receives specialized medical attention for hip bursitis, because if it is not treated promptly, the patient runs the risk that the bursa will harden and begin to cause more inflammation, more pain and greater limitation of joint mobility.
The clinical manifestations that characterize hip bursitis are:
Severe pain that becomes more bothersome when you rest your body on the side of the affected hip, such as sleeping or sitting for a long time.
Internal swelling that may be accompanied by pain when pressing on the outside of the hip.
Redness.
Burning or hot sensation over the joint area.
In diagnosing hip bursitis, the specialist will perform a physical evaluation looking specifically for pain points when palpating and moving the hip joint. Your doctor may also require additional tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or samples of synovial fluid (from the inflamed bursa) to rule out infection or other injury.
Hip bursitis can be caused by mechanical or pathological causes, including:
Joint overload or stress from overuse and repetitive or improper movements.
Previous hip injuries.
Uneven hip (Scoliosis).
Bone spurs.
Lower limb dysmetria.
Diseases such as: rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or gout.
Bacterial infections (mainly staph).
When choosing the appropriate treatment, different aspects must be considered, such as: the intensity of the pain, the cause of its appearance and the way in which hip bursitis is evolving. Treatment may include some of the following:
In the acute pain phase, it is essential to keep the hip at rest most of the time; It is also advisable to apply cold compresses to the inflamed joint several times a day. Your doctor will prescribe any nonsteroidal pain and anti-inflammatory drugs to take to relieve symptoms.
As conservative treatment and rest mitigate symptoms, the patient can begin progressive joint mobility (without pain). If you find it convenient, you can find a physical therapist to teach you how to perform rehabilitation and stretching exercises for that type of condition.
If symptoms of hip bursitis persist with initial treatment, your doctor might suggest corticosteroid injections directly into the bursa to decrease pain and swelling.
Surgery is the last resort after all previous treatments have failed. In this case, the surgical procedure (preferably arthroscopic) is done with the aim of removing the inflamed bursa in its entirety.
Hip bursitis caused by joint stress (overuse) may improve during the first month of treatment. However, the prognosis for patients with associated injuries or those who underwent surgery may be more extensive (about 3 to 4 months).
The pain of hip bursitis will keep you from sleeping on your side. If you want to limit compressive loads on the joint and relieve nighttime pain, the most suitable resting position is supine (lying on your back) preferably with a pillow or cushion under your knees, this will help you elevate your thighs and decrease hip pressure.
Hip bursitis is a condition that, if not treated in its initial stages, can generate other uncomfortable and limiting complications for the person who suffers from it. These include: stabbing pain, persistent swelling, weakness, and muscle atrophy.
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