Trochanteric Bursitis

What is it?

Trochanteric bursitis refers to inflammation and swelling of the bursa located between the point of the hip (trochanter) and the overlying gluteal muscles. A bursa is a fluid filled sac which allows adjacent tissues to slide over one another without friction.

How does it happen?

Trochanteric bursitis occurs when the trochanteric bursa is irritated. This commonly results from excessive friction on the bursa. This can occur when you have tight gluteal muscles or poor biomechanics around the pelvis. The trochanteric bursa works to allow the gluteal muscles to slide smoothly and without friction over the point of the hip. When these muscles are excessively tight, they place increased pressure and friction on the bursa. This increases wear and tear on the bursa, causing microtrauma which over time, can result in bursal thickening, inflammation and bursitis.

How does it feel?

Trochanteric bursitis causes pain over the outside of the hip. In some instances, this pain may radiate down the outside of the thigh as far down as the knee. This pain may be aggravated by activities involving the movement of the hip such as walking, running, stair climbing, crossing your legs and getting in and out of the car. The area may be tender to touch and warm.

What should you do?

If you have Trochanteric bursitis, it is advised you avoid activities which aggravate your pain and seek assistance of a sports physiotherapist to establish the cause. If the cause isn’t addressed the pain may go away if you rest, only to return as soon as you recommence activity.

What shouldn’t you do?

If you have Trochanteric bursitis, you shouldn’t continue with activities which aggravate your hip and make your pain worse. These will increase friction on the bursa, further irritating it, and possibly delay recovery.

Could there be any long-term effects?

Trochanteric bursitis does not produce any long term effects and usually gets better within a matter of weeks. However, there are other issues involving the overlying tendon which may become degenerative over time. IT is therefore critical a clear diagnosis and management plan is commenced as soon as possible.

Management

The assistance of a sports physiotherapist is important in the treatment of trochanteric bursitis. They will be able to confirm your diagnosis and use a number of treatment techniques to reduce your pain. In some situations, this may involve draining the bursa, taking anti-inflammatory medications or injecting a small quantity of anti-inflammatory medication directly into the bursa to stimulate healing. However, more importantly, the sports physiotherapist will be able to determine the cause of the irritation on your bursa. Addressing this as your pain settles will help prevent the re-occurence of trochanteric bursitis when you return to activity.

Brukner & Khan (2012) Clinical Sports Medicine.