Trochanteric Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is a medical condition that occurs as a result of inflammation of the bursa at the outside (lateral) point of the hip known as the greater trochanter.

A bursa is a sac that usually contains a small amount of fluid and functions as a friction-reducing structure between two anatomical structures, e.g. bone and tendon.

When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes pain in the hip. Bursitis is characterized by soft-tissue swelling, localized pain, synovial thickening and increased fluid in the bursa.

Causes of bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis can result from one or more of the following:

• Direct trauma: This can include falling onto the hip, bumping the hip into an object.
• Mechanical overload^: lying on one side of the body for an extended period.
• Overuse^: stair climbing, running, or standing for long periods of time can cause overuse or injury to the bursa tissue which may result in trochanteric bursitis.
• Compression of the tendon (and bursa)^: Stress on the soft tissues as a result of an abnormal or poorly positioned joint or bone (such as leg length differences or arthritis in a joint).
• poor pelvic control or weak hip abductors
• Gluteus medius and minimus tears (degenerative or traumatic)

Bursitis is more common in women and in middle-aged or elderly people. Beyond the situations mentioned above, in many cases, the cause of trochanteric bursitis is unknown.

 

Symptoms

Trochanteric bursitis reveals the following:

• Lateral hip pain
• Pain to the lateral thigh and knee
• Local tenderness over the greater trochanter
• Pain with side-lying on the affected side and sometimes when lying on the unaffected side too due to hip adduction on the affected side
• Pain with weight-bearing activities
• Pain with sitting crossed-legged
• Pain with prolonged sitting

 

Treatment

Treatment goals include reducing pain and inflammation (swelling), preserving mobility, and preventing disability and recurrence.

At Esther’s Place Well-Being Hub, the physical therapist may make some recommendations which includes a combination of rest, splints, heat and cold application.

He/she will design a therapeutic program including:

• Range of motion exercises (stretches)
• TENS treatment
• Ultrasound therapy
• Thermal therapy (heat]
• Cryotherapy (ice)
• Soft tissue mobilization

In a worst case scenario, your therapist or healthcare provider will recommend a corticosteroid injection or surgery by a specialist.

 

Call Us NOW. 

CALL ESTHER’S PLACE ON (+233 50 572 1405)