What is Hip Bursitis?

Hip Bursitis, also known as Trochanteric Bursitis or Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, is a burning pain on the outside of the hip that may radiate down the outside of the leg. It is most commonly seen in women aged between 50-60 years who have recently started increasing their exercise intensity.

Sign & Symptoms

• a burning pain that occurs on the outside of the hip, which may radiate down to the knee
• pain at night, especially if lying on the affected side
• pain with moving after prolonged rest, ie early mornings, after long car journeys
• pain with sitting cross legged, or when getting out of a low chair
• pain with prolonged standing, walking or when going up stairs
• in severe cases, you may start limping while walking

What causes it?

It was previously thought to be caused by inflammation of the bursa (a lubricant sac which helps tendons glide smoothly over bone), however recent research has shown that it is the actual tendons attaching to the outside of the hip which are the primary culprit. It is the repetitive compression of these tendons by overlying muscles that causes pain.

A number of factors which may contribute to developing Hip Bursitis include:

• poor standing posture
• weak hip stability muscles
• over-pronation (flat feet)
• training errors, ie poor running technique, or going back too fast too soon

How can we help?

• Shockwave Therapy to decrease pain and accelerate healing and repair.
• Acupuncture / Dry Needling and Soft Tissue Massage for pain relief and to release tight muscles around the hip
• Develop a personalised strength program for your hip stability muscles.
• Address any training errors. Spine & Sports Physiotherapists are experts in exercise prescription and will structure your training program to ensure you return to your pre-injury exercise levels at the appropriate time.
• A complete Foot and Shoe Assessment will identify whether orthotics may be needed to help ease your hip pain by limiting over-pronation.
• A Treadmill Running Analysis can be performed to assess whether your running technique may be contributing to your hip pain. Our Physiotherapists can then help with retraining your running style if appropriate.

Are you currently experiencing hip pain and are frustrated that it won’t go away? Is it now stopping you from doing things you enjoy or could easily do a few months ago? 

See an expert at Spine & Sports Physiotherapy now to take back control of your life and free yourself from the burden of hip pain!!!