Have you been using NSAIDs and steroids to manage your hip pain for an extended period? You may have only experienced temporary relief with frequent flare-ups. However, their consistent use leads to potentially fatal complications. Instead of contributing to the degeneration of your hip joint, why not consider therapies that promote regeneration?
Before learning about varied treatments, let us first understand the causes and symptoms of hip bursitis.
Causes of hip bursitis
Bursae are small sacs filled with fluid that provide cushioning and lubrication for your bones, tendons, and muscles around your joints for smooth movement. When these bursae become inflamed due to repetitive overuse, it leads to hip bursitis, which restricts movement and causes pain in the hip joint.
Trochanteric bursitis is a condition characterized by inflammation, swelling, and irritation in the bursa adjacent to the greater trochanter of the femur (thigh bone).
The major causes of hip bursitis include incorrect posture, muscle weakness, direct injury to the hip, and the presence of bone spurs in the hip. Additionally, leg length discrepancy, irritation from friction between hip muscles/tendons and bursa, or previous hip replacement surgery can trigger trochanteric bursitis.
Even spine issues such as scoliosis and medical conditions like gout, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disorder contribute to the development of trochanteric bursitis.
Symptoms of hip bursitis
The main symptom of trochanteric bursitis is an initial sharp pain followed by a continuous dull ache. This pain will gradually spread to other areas like the buttock, thigh, and legs. Other symptoms include swelling, tenderness, warmth around the affected area, and occasional redness.
Activities that may trigger hip pain include walking, running, climbing stairs, lifting the leg to the side, sitting for long periods, or with crossed legs. Even getting up from a sitting position and lying on the affected hip can also worsen the condition.
Verify the accuracy of diagnosis before hip bursitis treatment
Bursitis typically causes severe pain that makes it impossible to touch the skin over the inflamed hip area. If the affected area can still be felt under extra pressure, it may indicate that the patient does not have bursitis.
In some cases, conditions like tendonitis (inflammation of tendons) and tendinopathy (degeneration of tendons) are mistakenly diagnosed as bursitis. Usually, patients with trochanteric pain often had bursitis, and many of the patients diagnosed with bursitis actually had tendinopathy. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the accuracy of the diagnosis before hip bursitis treatment.
Conventional hip bursitis treatment
- Resting and applying an ice pack three to four times a day can also effectively alleviate swelling, inflammation, and pain.
- Utilizing walking sticks or crutches can assist in improving mobility.
- A physical therapist may suggest hip bursitis exercises to strengthen the hip and enhance flexibility.
- Hip Flexor Stretch
- Glute Bridge
- Clamshell
- Side-Lying Leg Lift
- Standing Hip Abduction
- Excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs can cause liver and kidney failure, despite their pain-relieving properties.
- Administering corticosteroid injections at intervals of 4-6 months can alleviate pain and inflammation, but some patients still experience ongoing pain and functional restrictions.
- Hip arthroscopy is a surgical treatment that involves the removal of the bursa through an incision in the hip area.
Regenerative medicine – The best non-surgical hip bursitis treatment
Thanks to the availability of non-surgical regenerative orthopaedic options, such as cell treatments and PRP therapy, it is now possible to repair damaged soft tissue in the hip, alleviate associated pain, and promote long-term relief. These procedures are minimally invasive and require minimal downtime and recovery time.
Regenerative cell treatments for hip bursitis involve using cells derived from the patient’s own body to stimulate regeneration and accelerate the healing process. This natural hip bursitis treatment option eliminates the risk of rejection. Similarly, PRP therapy involves using platelets obtained from the patient’s body to release growth factors that aid in healing the affected area. The expected recovery time for hip bursitis after these treatments is typically between 2-6 weeks, with noticeable improvements often visible within 1-2 weeks. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled after 8-12 weeks to evaluate the progress of recovery. During this time, patients are advised to refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medications and engaging in strenuous activities.
According to a research study conducted by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are more effective and long-lasting than cortisone injections for severe chronic hip bursitis treatment. Another 2018 review study also revealed significant improvement within the first three months after PRP injections, indicating its beneficial effects in trochanteric bursitis treatment.
Don’t let hip pain limit your mobility, choose regenerative therapy for a pain-free life. If you believe you could benefit from regenerative therapies, feel free to reach out to us to schedule a consultation or request a call-back today.
Meta Title: Understanding Hip Bursitis: A Complete Overview
Meta Description: Learn all about hip bursitis – its causes, symptoms, and how to find relief in this informative resource.