Understanding Hip Bursitis:
In today’s post, we continue our look at bursitis by discussing areas in the hip where bursitis can occur. The hip has several bursae. In this post, we’ll break down what hip bursitis is, the different areas where it can occur, common symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
What Is Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis occurs when one of the bursae in the hip becomes irritated or inflamed. This inflammation, like in other body parts, typically results from repetitive movements, injury, prolonged pressure, or underlying conditions such as arthritis. While the term “hip bursitis” is often used broadly, there are different types depending on which bursa is affected.
Types of Hip Bursitis
1. Trochanteric Bursitis (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
Trochanteric bursitis is the most common type of hip bursitis that we see as physiotherapists. It is often associated with repetitive motion activities like walking, running or cycling. The Trochanteric bursa is on the outside (lateral side) of the hip. When inflamed, patients will experience pain on the outer hip, tenderness on palpation, pain when lying on the affected side, and often symptom exacerbation with activities like walking, running, climbing stairs, or standing from a seated position.Trochanteric bursitis may be linked to hip muscle weakness, poor biomechanics, or tight iliotibial (IT) bands.
2. Iliopsoas (Hip Flexor) Bursitis
Less commonly seen is iliopsoas bursitis, which affects the front of the hip. This type of hip bursitis is often seen in individuals who perform repetitive hip flexion movements, such as runners, dancers, or soccer players. Symptoms are described as a deep groin pain, especially with lifting the knee.
3. Ischial Bursitis
Thirdly, ischial bursitis affects the lower portion of the pelvis/ buttocks area, over the sit bones (ischial tuberosities). Ischial bursitis can result from prolonged sitting on hard surfaces or repetitive stress to the hamstrings. Patients with this form of hip bursitis will describe pain when sitting, particularly on harder surfaces.
Common Causes of Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis can develop from many factors, yet the most common we see in the clinic are the following:
- Repetitive stress or overuse
- Direct trauma to the hip
- Prolonged pressure (e.g., side sleeping, sitting)
- Muscle imbalances or weakness
- Inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Treatment Options
As with most bursitis, hip bursitis in most cases will improve with conservative treatment. A combination of rest, activity modification, education regarding aggravating factors, electro-therapeutic modalities, ultrasound, and anti-inflammatory medications can aid in reducing pain and swelling.
Physiotherapy is often the most effective long-term solution. Depending on the type of hip bursitis the individual presents with, the focus of rehabilitation is strengthening relevant hip and pelvis/core muscles, stretching or increasing mobility as needed, and improving biomechanics.
In persistent cases, a corticosteroid injection into the inflamed bursa may be warranted. This is typically done by a physician.
Conclusion
Hip bursitis is a common and treatable cause of hip pain. Understanding the type of bursitis you’re dealing with is key to selecting the right treatment approach. If you’re experiencing persistent hip pain, early evaluation and guided rehabilitation can help you return to normal activities faster, and prevent recurrence.
Consult one of the physiotherapists at Kamloops Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre, as they can guide you through a specific, individualised rehabilitation program that will improve your chances of a full recovery. This blog post was written by physiotherapist Jacob Coelho. To book an appointment with Jacob or one of our other experienced therapists, call 250-314-0788 or book online HERE.