Hip Bursitis - What to Do About It - Physio Explains
Hip Bursitis Cause and Symptoms
Bursa are small jelly-like sacs that sit between bones and soft tissue and act like a cushion.
Bursitis occurs when the sac becomes irritated and inflamed.
This irritation may be caused by a traumatic event or from overuse.
Generally, it causes sharp pain on the outside of the hip; this is called trochanteric bursitis.
The pain is worse at night, when lying on the affected hip, and when getting up from a chair after being seated for a while.
It also may get worse with prolonged walking, stair climbing, or squatting.
Physiotherapy Assessment of Hip Bursitis
Your physiotherapist or GP will take a thorough history by asking questions like what makes your pain worse, and will feel the structures around your hip, which usually provokes pain.
They will then look for any weakness or reduced range of movement around the hip.
If they are still feeling unsure, they may refer you for an MRI or ultrasound scan, which can provide more information.
Can Hip Bursitis Be Managed Without Surgery?
Bursitis can be managed without surgery. A referral to a physiotherapist will help to settle your irritated bursa. Initially the physiotherapist will use techniques like electrotherapy, dry needling, taping and soft tissue massage to settle the pain and inflammation.
They may also recommend the temporary use of a mobility aid, as well as give you advice on which activities to avoid. Anti-inflammatory medications or ice applications can help to calm inflammation.
Then the physiotherapist will provide you with an exercise program to improve your hip range of motion and strength as well as your balance. Once your strength and movement are normalised the physiotherapist will discuss a graded return to activity rehabilitation program.
If these treatments do not bring pain relief, the physiotherapist may refer you back to the GP for a cortisone injection. It is important to remember that this will reduce your pain but it does not fix the problem that caused your bursitis.
Physiotherapy rehabilitation involves:
- Reduction in pain and swelling
- Restoration of full range of motion
- Muscle strengthening
- Graded return to activity (running)
- Proprioception (your joints’ “position sense”)
- Functional exercises
Optimum Allied Health have a team of experienced physiotherapists in our clinics in Tweed Heads, Ballina, Yamba, Grafton and Coffs Harbour.
If you are a healthcare provider you can refer directly to us under community aged care (such as CHSP, home care funding, STRC and similar programs), Medicare, DVA, WorkCover or private health insurance.
Individuals do not require a referral and can simply book by emailing or calling the clinic.
Should you have any questions or need to contact us further, please don’t hesitate to do so.
To make an appointment or referral to any of our clinics in Northern NSW and Southern QLD:
Email: refer@opthealth.com.au
Phone: 1300 871 249