...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!
Trochanteric Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa located at the point of the hip referred to as the greater trochanter. When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes pain in the hip. This is a common cause of hip pain.
Symptoms:
Bursitis typically causes the following symptoms:
Pain on the outside of the hip and thigh or in the buttock.
Pain when you press in on the outside of the hip which gets worse when getting up from a deep chair or getting out of the car.
Pain with walking up stairs.
Pain which radiates down the thigh at night.
Causes:
Trochanteric bursitis is most often caused by overuse, stress or direct trauma to a joint, such as with repeated bumping or prolonged pressure. Bursitis may also be caysed by an infection, arthritis or gout. It is more common in women and in middle-aged or elderly people. Many times, the cause is unknown. Bursitis typically results from one or more of these factors:
Injury to the point of the hip. This can include falling onto the hip, bumping your hip on the edge of a table or lying on one side of the body for an extended period.
Play or work activities that cause overuse or injury to the joint areas. For example running up stairs, climbing or standing for long periods of time.
Incorrect posture, which can be caused by scoliosis, arthritis of the lower spine and other spine problems.
Stress on the soft tissues from an abnormal or poorly positioned joint or bone, such as leg length differences or arthritis in a joint.
Other diseases or conditions; rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, thyroid disease or an unusual drug reaction and rarely from infection.
Previous surgery around the hip or prosthetic implants in the hip.
Hip bone spurs or calcium deposits in the tendons which attach to the trochanter.
Treatment:
Treatment goals include reduction in pain and inflammation, as well as preserving mobility and preventing disability and recurrence.
The treatment recommendations may include a combination of rest, splints, heat and cold application. You may need more advanced treatments including:
Corticosteroid injections provided by your health care provider. They work quickly to decrease the inflammation and pain.
Physical therapy which includes range of motion exercises and splinting. This can be very beneficial.
Surgery, if you are not responding to other treatments.
