BURSITIS/TROCHANTERIC PAIN

ABOUT BURSITIS

Bursitis is where the bursa in a joint becomes inflamed. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction and helps the tendons and ligaments of the joint slide easily over each other. You can get bursitis in any joint but it most commonly affects the shoulders, hips, elbows and knees. When the bursa in the hip joint becomes inflamed, it is called trochanteric bursitis. We can treat trochanteric bursitis in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop!

There are several causes of bursitis but mostly when the joint is overused or following an injury. Active people, especially walkers, runners and cyclists are prone to getting bursitis in the hip. When the long connective tissue called the iliotibial band (ITB) is tight from extensive use, it can rub against the hip joint causing bursitis.

Other causes of bursitis include poor posture, gout or surgery on the hip.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TROCHANTERIC BURSITIS?

The symptoms of trochanteric bursitis include:

• Sharp pain or dull ache on the outside of your hip.

• Warm or tender to touch, possibly even swollen.

• Hurts more when you move, such as going downstairs or getting up from sitting.

• Painful to lie on that side or when you press it.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BURSITIS?

There are several ways that you can self-treat bursitis in the hip:

• Rest – this means keeping your weight off the hip joint as much as possible, such as using crutches when walking.

• Ice therapy – applying an ice pack to the joint for 10 to 20 minutes every few hours will help reduce the inflammation.

• Elevation – keeping the joint at the same level as your heart (also known as lying down)

• Anti-inflammatory meds – over-the-counter meds, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce inflammation

If your bursitis isn’t getting better using self-treating methods, there are other options available:

• Physiotherapy – a physio can both manipulate the joint as well as give you specific exercises that can help with your bursitis.

• Antibiotics – your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics if the bursitis is as a result of an infection.

• Injections – cortisone steroid injections can be made into the hip joint to reduce the swelling.

If the bursa is not healing despite treatments above, it may need to be removed surgically as it may be beyond repair. Book your treatment for Trochanteric Bursitis in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster or Worksop today! You can also follow us on social media!