Relieve Hip Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments That Work

Bursitis of the hip is a common condition involving painful swelling in the hip joint, often stemming from inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles. These sacs, called bursae, reduce friction and make movements around the hip smooth and pain-free. When these bursae become inflamed, it leads to hip bursitis, causing pain and discomfort that can affect daily activities. This article covers symptoms and causes, diagnostic methods, and the most effective treatment plans.

What is Hip Bursitis?

Bursitis refers to the inflammation of the bursa—a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects the joints. Around the hip, there are two primary types of bursitis: trochanteric bursitis and iliopectineal bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis is the more common type, involving swelling of the bursa located at the top of the thigh bone. This bursitis is painful, and symptoms include pain on the outer side of the hip that can radiate down the thigh. Bursitis may worsen with movement, especially with repetitive hip motions.

Causes of Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis can be caused by various factors. Some common causes include:

1. Overuse of the Hip: Repeated stress on the hip from activities like running, cycling, or prolonged walking can put pressure on the hip, leading to bursitis. Overuse is a frequent cause for people whose jobs or studies require repetitive hip movement.
2. Injury or Trauma to the Hip: A fall, bump, or any hip injury can inflame the bursa. Even minor trauma, when frequent, can cause this form of hip pain.
3. Prolonged Pressure on the Hip: Sitting or lying on one side, especially on a hard surface for long periods places direct pressure on the hip, which can irritate the bursa over time.
4. Muscle Imbalances or Weakness: Weak hip muscles may cause extra strain on the bursa. When supporting muscles, like the glutes, aren’t strong enough, it can lead to bursitis due to inefficient movement.
5. Medical Conditions: Certain hip conditions can make someone more likely to develop bursitis. Arthritis, gout, or metabolic conditions can lead to bursitis by increasing inflammation in and around the hip joint. Septic bursitis—an infection in the bursa—is less common but requires urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of Hip Bursitis

The main hip bursitis symptoms include:

• Pain in the Hip and Outer Thigh: Bursitis is a painful condition often marked by a sharp or aching sensation around the hip and thigh. Pain in the hip often worsens when performing activities that cause pain, such as walking or climbing stairs.
• Tenderness and Swelling: You may feel tenderness in the area around the hip, especially when lying on or pressing against the affected hip.
• Increased Pain with Movement: Activities involving the hip—like hip abduction or climbing—often cause the pain to intensify. Sometimes even routine movements put pressure on the hip and worsen the discomfort.
• Difficulty Sleeping on the Affected Side: Sleeping on the side with bursitis can increase pain, disrupting sleep.

If you’ve noticed symptoms for the first time or are still experiencing symptoms despite rest, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider. A provider will help you find the right treatment plan, including options to relieve pain and improve range of motion.

Diagnosing Hip Bursitis

To diagnose bursitis, a healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam, asking you about your symptoms and examining the area around your affected hip. They may press on the hip to locate areas of tenderness and assess your hip’s range of motion to see what triggers pain.

Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI, may sometimes be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other common hip conditions like fractures or arthritis.

Treatment for Hip Bursitis

Once hip bursitis has been diagnosed, there are several effective treatment options. Treating hip bursitis generally involves a combination of self-care, medication, physical therapy, and sometimes, injections or surgery.

1. Rest and Activity Modification

Avoiding activities that aggravate the pain, such as running or prolonged walking, can help reduce inflammation in the bursa in your hip. Simple changes, like sitting on cushioned surfaces or switching sides when lying down, can reduce pressure on the hip.

2. Cold Therapy

Applying an ice pack to the area can reduce pain and inflammation. Apply the ice for about 20 minutes at a time, several times a day, particularly after activities that increase symptoms.

3. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, can reduce inflammation and relieve pain. These drugs are typically safe for short-term use, but it’s best to discuss long-term options with a healthcare provider.

4. Physical Therapy

Working with a physical therapist can be very helpful for hip bursitis. Physical therapists create tailored exercises to strengthen hip muscles, support the joint, and improve flexibility.

Key exercises include:

• Strengthening Exercises: For the gluteal and core muscles, which stabilize the hip.
• Stretching Exercises: To maintain flexibility in muscles and tendons around the hip.
• Range-of-Motion Exercises: Help restore movement in the hip without irritating the bursa.

Hip abduction and other carefully prescribed exercises can be particularly beneficial. A physical therapist can monitor your progress and adjust exercises as needed.

5. Corticosteroid Injections

If the pain is severe or persistent, treatment for bursitis may involve corticosteroid injections. This is injected directly into the hip bursa to reduce inflammation. In many cases, corticosteroids offer significant pain relief, but their use should be limited, as repeated injections can weaken surrounding tissues.

6. Surgery for Trochanteric Bursitis

Surgery for trochanteric bursitis is rare but may be necessary for those who don’t respond to other treatments. Surgical options might include removing the bursa (remove the bursa). Surgery is generally reserved for cases where chronic bursitis affects quality of life, and other treatments have been ineffective.

Preventing Hip Bursitis

To prevent bursitis or avoid recurrence, you can take some proactive steps:

1. Strengthen Hip and Core Muscles: Exercises that strengthen the glutes and core help stabilize the hip joint, reducing strain on the bursa.
2. Maintain Flexibility: Stretching exercises for the hip, such as those targeting the IT band, glutes, and hip flexors, can keep the hip flexible, decreasing the chance of overuse.
3. Warm Up Before Activity: Warm-up exercises help prepare muscles and joints, making them less susceptible to injury. 
4. Progressive loading: Rapid build-up volume of a new repetitive task ( i.e. running) can also cause bursitis. If you haven’t done a repetitive task for a long time or are just starting out, give yourself time to accumulate training volume.
5. Practice Good Posture and Form: Correct form during activities like running or lifting is essential to avoid overuse of the hip.
6. Avoid Prolonged Pressure on One Side: Avoid sitting or lying in one position for long periods, which can put pressure on the hip bursa.

Living with Hip Bursitis

Living with bursitis may require a few lifestyle changes to manage pain and prevent future flare-ups. Following prescribed treatments and working with healthcare providers to develop an individualized plan can greatly reduce symptoms.

If you’re still experiencing symptoms despite treatment, or if pain returns frequently, consult your healthcare provider. Persistent or severe pain may indicate that bursitis may require a change in treatment strategy. Working closely with a healthcare provider to manage hip bursitis can help you move more comfortably, and in most cases, hip bursitis usually gets better with consistent, attentive care.

Manage and Treat Hip Bursitis for a Pain-Free, Active Lifestyle

Hip bursitis is a common, manageable condition that affects people across age groups, especially those with active lifestyles or occupations that involve repetitive movements. While bursitis is a painful condition, understanding its causes and symptoms can help you find relief through personalized treatment. By following preventive steps and adhering to prescribed exercises, most people recover fully and can resume their regular activities.

Managing and treating hip bursitis requires a balanced approach—rest, strengthening exercises, and, if needed, medical interventions. With effective treatment, supportive physical therapy, and preventive measures, recovery from hip bursitis is achievable for most people, allowing them to continue leading active, pain-free lives.

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