- by Robina Palmer, Physiotherapist, Co-Owner Sun City Physiotherapy
Are you experiencing pain to the outer side of your hip when walking, climbing stairs or sleeping at night? You may be developing trochanteric bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa (bursitis) that is located on the outer side of your hip.
A bursa is a fluid filled sac that lies over a bony prominence in the body. We have multiple bursas throughout our body. They are designed to cushion and decrease the friction that is created when a tendon or muscle moves across the bone.
The greater trochanter is a bony prominence of the upper leg bone (femur) that is located on the outside of your hip. Here is a quick way to find your greater trochanter. Stand, let your hand hang straight down by your side, the crease of your wrist is at the same level as your greater trochanter. This bony prominence is an attachment site for many muscles, including the glut muscles that help control hip movement.
Inflammation of the bursa occurs when additional friction is created, either from tight overlying muscles, or from direct trauma. Tightness in the glut muscles or the Iliotibial Band (IT Band) can create extra friction as it crosses over the bursa. A fall onto the side of the hip or a direct hit during contact sports can also result in inflammation to the trochanteric bursa.
Once the bursa is inflamed, point tenderness to the side of the hip usually develops. Pain is often described as a deep aching sensation. The pain can often radiate into the thigh and knee, and occasionally into the lower leg. The pain can also refer into the lower back and tailbone area. Pain is reproduced when climbing stairs and hills due to the compression action of your glut muscles on the bursa. You may even experience difficulty laying or sleeping on the affected side, as this also directly compresses the bursa.
If you suspect you have trochanteric bursitis, the best thing for you to do is to avoid the irritating activities. Stop running or walking, and minimize stair climbing. Icing the inflamed bursa for ten minutes at a time will help to reduce the inflammation. Avoid things that compress the bursa, for example bucket seats and lying on your side. Begin stretching the IT Band, the glut muscles, and other hip muscles to minimize the friction placed on the bursa
If you are not familiar with these stretches, your Physiotherapist will be able to provide you with the appropriate stretches, and develop an individual program. Your Physiotherapist will also be able to confirm the presence of bursitis (ruling out other possible diagnosis), provide strengthening exercises, and may use different modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation to further decrease the inflammation.
This is provided as general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as medical advice. Robina Palmer is a registered Physiotherapist and co-owner of Sun City Physiotherapy. She can be contacted at Sun City Physiotherapy’s downtown, St. Paul Street clinic by calling 250.861.8056, or via email at rpalmer@suncityphysiotherapy.com
