Hip bursitis can be quite a debilitating condition which presents as pain laterally on the hip (on the outside). People with bursitis often have pain at night (especially when lying on that side), when standing up from bed or from a chair and when lifting the leg away from the body (hip abduction).
Daily activities such as standing on one leg to put pants on, walking, and going up and down stairs can also become painful.
What is hip bursitis?
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs found around many of the joints in the body. Their job is to reduce friction between our tendons and the bone and to provide some cushioning. If we are loading our joints “incorrectly”, these bursae can get irritated and inflamed, which is what brings on the pain.
Why is your bursa getting overloaded?
Figuring out why the bursa is getting overloaded is the first step towards treating the problem. Some possible causes are:
- Sitting cross-legged for hours on end
- A dramatic and recent increase in the amount of exercise you do
- A life event such as moving house
- A holiday that had a lot of walking, hiking or going up and down stairs
These things can contribute to hip bursitis, as well as weakness around the pelvis and hips, which your physiotherapist can help you to find.
What can I do to relieve symptoms?
To help ease your symptoms, try using a massage ball to help release your glutes. Over the longer term, gradually building up your strength is important to help settle your pain. Your physiotherapist will tailor exercises to suit your needs and progress these over the course of your treatment to help reduce flare ups. Our exercise physiologists can also help you keep building strength once your pain has settled.
What other conditions can cause pain in my hip?
There are many things that need to be considered when diagnosing hip bursitis. The best way to get to the bottom of your pain is to visit a health professional such as a physiotherapist. They might find that another structure is causing your hip pain, such as:
- Pain referral from the back
- Hip joint osteoarthritis
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Hip flexor pain
*All information is general in nature. For specific advice please visit your health professional.
