A bursa is a small fluid filled sac that helps reduce friction between different tissues around joints throughout the body. There are three bursa around the hip region.
- Trochanteric bursa - on the outer aspect of the hip between the greater trochanter (large bony prominence) and the tendons of the gluteal and hip rotator muscles
- Iliopsoas bursa - between the iliopsoas muscle at the front of the hip and the underlying pubic bone
- Ischial bursa - between the hamstring tendons and ischial tuberosities (sitting bones of pelvis)
Trochanteric Bursitis
The trochanteric bursa is the most commonly irritated. Bursa may become irritated and inflamed as a result of a direct impact injury or more commonly via repetitive strain. Repeated friction maybe caused by
- Tight overlying muscles – Iliotibial Band, gluteals
- Poor biomechanics . If the knee tends to fall medially (inwards) during gait a greater angle is created at the hip causing greater friction over the greater trochanter. The knee may fall medially in individuals who over pronate and amongst people who have weak hip abductors (muscles that raise leg out to side)
- A bone spur (small excess growth of bone) may be present that will rub against the bursa
Symptoms of trochanteric hip bursitis
- Pain on the outside of the hip around greater trochanter
- Pain may radiate (spread) down the outside of the thigh
- Pain is aggravated by running and climbing stairs
- Pain aggravated by direct pressure to the outside of the hip.
What you can do
- Rest until there is no pain.
- Apply ice therapy to the area.
- Run only on flat, even surfaces.
- Take anti-inflammatory medication (speak to your Doctor or pharmacist about a suitable product)
What we can do
- Prescribe exercise to correct muscle imbalances and weakness around hip
- Prescribe orthotics to correct over pronating feet
- Use massage and stretching to reduce tension in muscles overlying the bursa
- Send you for an X-ray or MRI to confirm the injury is not as a result of a bone spur
Tags: hip pain
