Bursitis in the hip joint is also known as bursitis trochanterica (ICD M70.7). It causes pain in the hip when walking, but also at rest. It is often caused by overloading or incorrect loading. The condition can often be treated with conservative measures. Sometimes, however, surgical intervention is necessary.
Here you will find further information as well as selected doctors and centers for bursitis of the hip.
As with all joints, there are also bursae on the hip, which perform a complex task. Let's imagine bursae as small, flat tissue cushions that contain a gel-like fluid. They form a kind of springy buffer that compensates for the friction of ligaments or muscles against bones and absorbs the pressure on them.
Several of these small shock absorbers can be found on the hip:
If the bursa becomes inflamed, more tissue fluid accumulates inside it. This causes the bursa to swell. This swelling now presses on the surrounding tissue - causing pain, which is usually associated with restricted movement.
The anatomy of the hip and the location of the bursa © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock
The causes of trochanteric bursitis are often to be found in mechanical overload. Athletes and people who do a lot of unusual running are particularly susceptible.
Incorrect strain and incorrect posture also contribute to the development of bursitis.
Sometimes viruses or bacteria are also responsible for bursitis in the hip. The pathogens penetrate from the bloodstream through the encapsulated membrane into the bursa. Here they then trigger an infection. In this case, it is a so-called septic bursitis.
In older people, bursitis in the hip is often associated with rheumatic diseases or gout.
The pain that occurs depends on the localization of the affected bursa. Diffuse or localized pain on the outside of the hip or, more rarely, in the groin is possible.
The hip pain caused by trochanteric bursitis is not dependent on movement. This means that it often also occurs at rest. However, the symptoms increase significantly when the leg is strained and moved. If the bursa in the outer hip area is inflamed, the hip also hurts when lying on its side.
Unlike other bursitis, there are no visible signs typical of inflammation. The focus of inflammation is too deep under the muscles and tissue to cause swelling, warming and redness.
However, the affected area is painful when pressure is applied to it.
For self-therapy
relieve the pain. In the acute stage, it is helpful to immobilize the joint for a few days to counteract the inflammation. Limit your movements to the bare minimum during this rest period. Bend the hip as little as possible and avoid unnecessary walking.
Taping with special Y-tapes is also an accompanying measure to support the healing process. These tapes relieve the joint.
If there is no improvement after a few days despite resting the joint, it is better to consult a doctor.
An orthopaedic doctor is the right address for hip pain. Diagnosis is often difficult. The symptoms of hip bursitis are similar to those of hip osteoarthritis or other signs of wear and tear. Diffuse pain in the hip area often does not initially indicate bursitis.
Bursitis is often caused by overloading the hip joint. The doctor will therefore first ask you about any changes in your habits or activities.
He or she will then check whether there is pressure pain at the relevant point. He or she may also carry out a blood test to determine the inflammation levels. This helps to differentiate between bursitis caused by overloading or by pathogens.
The doctor may also use imaging procedures such as
in order to make a definitive diagnosis.
Medical treatment is primarily based on the type of trochanteric bursitis. Septic bursitis (caused by pathogens) is treated differently to stress-induced bursitis.
However, other parameters also play a role in the treatment. For example, the stage must be differentiated:
The age of the patient and possible other underlying diseases such as
which could influence the therapy, also play a role here.
In the case of septic bursitis, the patient is given antibiotics or antivirals, depending on the causative pathogen. Surgical treatment is often necessary for such forms.
In the case of bursitis caused by overloading, the doctor will first prescribe
Their purpose is to reduce the inflammatory process in the long term. After the rest period, the doctor will recommend special exercises that will slowly and gently mobilize the hip again.
How long the healing process takes also depends on the factors mentioned above. The healing process is quickest in the case of bursitis caused by mechanical stress. In this case, a significant improvement can be expected within a week.
In chronic cases, treatment can take several weeks.
In rare cases, treatment with anti-inflammatory medication is unsuccessful. In this case, the only option is surgery, in which the surgeon removes parts of the inflamed bursa. This stops the inflammatory process and prevents permanent restriction of movement.
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