Hip Bursitis

Prevention

Reduce your risk.

To help prevent bursitis, try:

• Stretching your hip muscles before activity
• Practicing good posture
• Avoiding repetitive hip movements
• Cushioning your joints (cushion chairs when sitting, and use extra hip support when sleeping)

Symptoms

Pinpoint your pain.

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.

Diagnosis

Get the answers you need.

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.

Treatment

Life’s too short to put up with pain.

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.