Bursitis of the Hip
Throughout the body, small fluid-filled sacs called bursae act as cushions between bones, tendons and muscles. Several bursae are located around the outer area of the hip, near the portion of the thighbone (femur) called the greater trochanter (tro-KAN-ter). The greater trochanter is a broad, flat area of bone that anchors several large muscles. An inflammation of one of the trochanteric bursa, called bursitis, is a common cause of hip pain.
Causes
Repetitive stress or multiple traumatic injuries, lumbar spine disease such as scoliosis, leg-length inequalities and rheumatoid arthritis are some of the possible causes of trochanteric bursitis. In addition, lying on one side of the body for an extended period (perhaps due to another injury or illness), or prolonged pressure on the hip such as from standing too long can also contribute to the condition. People with previous hip surgery or prosthetic implants in the hip may also be at risk.
Symptoms
Trochanteric bursitis can affect anyone at any age, although it is more common in women and the middle-aged or elderly than in men or younger people. The main symptom is aching pain focused on the outside of the upper thigh, just over the point of the hip.
Pain may radiate down the outside of the thigh as far as the knee and worsen when you lie down or roll over on the affected side. Climbing stairs, sitting or standing too long and walking may all be painful.
Treatment
If the bursitis is caused by overuse, the first step in treating it is rest. Simply giving the hip an opportunity to heal by taking some time off from activity or modifying your exercise regimen may be sufficient. Other conservative treatments include ice applications (apply for 15 to 20 minutes, two or three times a day; do not apply ice directly to the skin); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen; stretching exercises, especially for the lower back and hip muscles; and weight loss, to reduce pressure on the hip. Depending on the cause of your condition, your doctor may also recommend physical therapy, use of a cane to reduce pressure on the hip, or using a lift in your shoe if one leg is markedly different in length than the other.
If conservative treatment does not relieve the pain, your physician may recommend an injection of a corticosteroid preparation, which is usually successful in relieving symptoms. Surgery is rarely required. Because persistent pain may be an early sign of hip disease, an MRI may be recommended to diagnose this condition.