If you’ve noticed a nagging pain in the front or side of your hips after exercise, you may be dealing with hip bursitis. Airrosti’s Tom Danisiewicz, DC, examines the common causes and symptoms of hip bursitis. He also covers traditional treatment methods and how Airrosti can help you find pain relief.
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that is positioned between bones and tendons to help reduce friction during movement. When a bursa becomes irritated, it can develop into bursitis.
There are two main bursae within the hip: the iliopsoas bursa located on the inside of the hip near the groin, and the trochanteric bursa located on the outside of the hip. Pain and swelling in either of these locations can be indicative of hip bursitis.
Hip bursitis can sometimes develop after a fall or blow to the hip, but it is most often caused by mechanical issues such as overuse, a prior hip injury/surgery, or poor hip mobility. Friction from hip tendons moving repetitively over the bursa causes irritation, especially during high-impact activities like running.
Below are a few common risk factors associated with hip bursitis:
A hip injury like bursitis doesn’t just happen to athletes and active individuals. Office workers and individuals who are prone to joint pain from other inflammatory conditions are also likely to suffer from hip bursitis.
Most symptoms of hip bursitis appear around the front or side of the hip.
Because hip bursitis is often linked to poor hip mobility, muscle tightness, and IT Band issues, pain can often radiate from the hips into the legs and low back.
The main goal for hip bursitis treatment is to reduce pain and swelling. After a patient is diagnosed with hip bursitis, their doctor will often recommend reducing or modifying any activities that cause pain. Many bursitis cases can be treated at home with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
In some cases, doctors may recommend cortisone injections combined with over-the-counter medications to speed up the healing process. Physical therapy programs can also help reduce pain and swelling.
While rest and conservative care can help reduce bursitis symptoms, this treatment process is time consuming and can restrict your activity, putting your lifestyle on hold to find relief.
While most treatments for hip bursitis focus on reducing symptoms, Airrosti is dedicated to finding and resolving your pain at the source. Our providers aim to get patients out of pain fast so they can return to the activities they love most, without the use of pain medication, injections, or surgery. We also share tools and resources to help minimize your risk of injury and help you address pain as it appears.
Our quality approach to care has allowed patients to return to pain-free activity quickly while also minimizing the risk of injury recurrence. Based on extensive patient-reported outcomes, it only takes around 3 visits to fully resolve an injury, and you can remain active during treatment.
Call Airrosti at (800) 404-6050 or click here to schedule your visit so we can quickly get you on the road to recovery. We offer both in-office and telehealth appointments to best suit your needs.
Reviewed by Casey Crisp, Doctor of Chiropractic
Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.
