Hip Bursitis

 A bursa is a tiny, fluid-filled sack that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues. You will find bursae throughout your entire body, wherever it is required for a tendon or ligament to glide constantly over a bony area, ligaments or another tendon. Bursitis occurs when this bursa becomes inflamed, and pain and tenderness can result. Hip bursitis most commonly refers to the trochanteric bursa, the bursa that sits on the bony part on the outside of your hip.

Causes of Hip Bursitis

Bursitis may be caused by injury to the area, a rheumatic or osteoarthritis condition, or calcification in the gluteal tendons that run over the trochanteric bursa. It can be due to infection to the area as well. The most common cause of Hip Bursitis is an injury or strain. This can even occur with minor injuries or muscle imbalance.

Characteristics/Clinical presentation of hip bursitis

• Pain on the outside of the hip and thigh or in the buttock.
• Pain when lying on the affected side.
• Pain when you press in or on the outside of the hip.
• Pain that gets worse during activities such as getting up from a deep chair or getting out of a car.
• Pain with walking upstairs.

Physiotherapy Management for Hip Bursitis

In York-med Physiotherapy, our registered physiotherapist will take a comprehensive history of your condition to give you the best possible diagnosis. The physical examination will look at your spine, hip, knee, ankle, and foot to create the best possible treatment plan. Typically, your treatment will involve some manual therapy to reduce your pain and improve your hip range of movement, as well as strengthening exercises to improve your functional level. We will also educate you about your gait biomechanics or specific muscle imbalances contributing to your hip bursitis.