Call to speak with our helpful office staff9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday, or complete a contact form anytime.
Se habla español.
To reschedule or cancel an appointment, please use this form.
Phone: 844-777-0910
Fax: 201-560-0712
Home » Conditions »
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between tendons, bone, and skin, which helps your joints move with ease. There are over 150 bursae in your body, and several are found around the outer area of the hip, near the portion of your thighbone (e.g., the femur) called the greater trochanter. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed, and it is a common cause of pain to your hip.
Inflammation of a bursa is caused by repetitive-use injuries, prolonged pressure, lumbar spine diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes, infection. It can affect anyone at any age, but is most common in women and the middle-aged.
To help prevent bursitis, try:
The main symptom is aching pain over the part of the outer hip. The pain worsens with movement or pressure, and it may travel down the outside of the thigh toward the knee. Pain caused by pressure at night can make sleeping very difficult.
Your doctor will be able to diagnose bursitis when he or she physically examines the specific area that’s causing pain and tenderness. However, an X-ray may be taken to rule out other causes, too.
Initial treatment of bursitis involves resting, immobilizing the area, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and relieve pain—a regimen that is often effective. Exercise and physical therapy, especially for the hip and lower back, can be helpful to strengthen the surrounding muscles and help prevent further episodes. If these measures don’t relieve your pain, a doctor may recommend an injection of corticosteroids around the bursa, which usually brings rapid pain relief. Surgery to remove the damaged bursa may be an option in severe cases.