Trochanteric Bursitis (Bursitis of the Hip)

Also Known As Bursitis of the Hip or Hip Bursitis. In North America, it is estimated that over 60% of the causes of hip pain are caused by Trochanteric Bursitis.

What is a Bursa?

A bursa is a closed, fluid-filled sac whose functions is to cushion and provide a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to tendons near large joints, such as in the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. When the bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis.

Bursae are lined with special cell tissue known as synovial cells, and are responsible for secreting fluids rich in proteins and collagen. This fluid acts like a lubricant between surfaces high in friction, such as an elbow or shoulder joint, thus allowing tendons and muscles to slide over bone effortlessly. Once this fluid becomes infected, a condition occurs known as bursitis. There are about 160 bursae in the human body and some people have more than others.

The trochanteric bursa rests between the bony area on the outside of the hip (the greater trochanter) and the tendon (illotibial band) that passes over this bone. When this bursa becomes inflamed (for any reason noted below), every time the tendon moves over this bone, pain (mild to severe) will result. Pain may radiate down the outside (lateral) of the thigh. As this tendon is moved during each step, many sufferers of hip bursitis find it extremely painful to walk. In some cases, patients require the use of a wheelchair.

As well as the common causes of bursitis; chronic or acute trauma, crystal deposits, or bursa infection, trochanteric bursitis can occur following surgery. Patients who have undergone surgery for a hip replacement or fractured hip often complain about pain over the outside of the hip which is usually caused by irritation of the bursa. Trochanteric bursitis is also know to occur as a complication or arthroscopic surgery, although it is estimated to have a low occurance rate (1.4% of all trochanteric bursitis cases).

How to Treat Hip Bursitis

Once your medical professional has diagnosed you with bursitis you can begin proper treatments. If your bursitis is caused by an infection (septic bursitis), the doctor will probably drain the bursa sac with a needle and perscribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

For non-infectious bursitis, the preliminary treatment starts with non-operative options such as ultrasound therapy, cold therapy and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy. Surgery is normally not required for bursitis, however if you fail to see improvement with the conservative treatments, your physician may recommend surgery to remove the bursa completely.

The most important factor in healing bursitis is getting rest to relieve the pressure and irritation on the bursa. During your recovery you will probably have to modify or avoid the activities that stress your bursa until your pain and inflammation settle. Scar tissue can often develop with tendinitis and/or bursitis. As your damaged tissues heal this dead, fibrotic tissue will be produced instead of forming brand new healthy tissue. This tissue adheres to your muscle fibers, tendons, ligaments, and nerves causing pain and preventing them from moving properly (this limits your range of motion, flexibility and strength). However, the more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results.

Your initial treatment should involve decreasing swelling, relieving pain and stress on the hip, correcting any biomechanical dysfunction that may be causing an incorrect shift in your gait, and then restoring strength and mobility to your injured hip. It is important to follow any instructions you receive from your physician. If you are performing an activity or sport that could cause further trauma to the bursa, it is recommended that you protect the area with padding and/or proper equipment to prevent further irritation or damage.

To decrease inflammation and relieve pain caused by hip bursitis rest your legs and limit activity to prevent further pressure on the inflamed bursa. Then use cold therapy, ultrasound therapy and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST) to rid yourself of bursitis.

Cold Therapy

Applying cold to your inflamed bursa will help decrease the swelling and redness around the bursa. Cold therapy will also help to numb the pain in your hip joint and help to control the inflammation.

Icing the bursa as needed throughout the day, for approximately 15 - 20 minutes at a time, is recommended to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Do not apply ice directly on your skin, rather wrap it in a cloth or towel or, better yet, use a cold gel pack that fits easily and comfortably to your body.

The cold compression Back/Hip Freezie Wrap™ can be used to apply cold in a safe, convenient and effective way - and the gel pack is reusable. The gel pack sits over the inflamed bursa in your sore hip to reduce swelling and redness. The wrap is soft and adjustable so it fits your body properly, without irritating the bursa, and allows you to adjust the compression. This is important when treating an inflamed bursa because too much pressure can cause you further pain. You control how much pressure the bursa receives so you can benefit from the compression to hold the cold where you need it, without increasing your pain.

Applying cold to your tender joint is the first step in treating your hip bursitis. Once severe inflammation has been reduce, you can begin using ultrasound therapy and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy to continue the healing process.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound has been used by physical therapists and chiropractors for years to treat bursitis. By applying ultrasound therapy to your sore bursa (and tendon if you suffer from tendonitis as well) you can reduce the inflamed fluid that has built up in the bursa. In addition, ultrasound therapy will treat any other soft tissue conditions that you may be experiencing in your hip such as gout, sciatica, muscle strain or spasm, snapping hip syndrome and more. By treating yourself with ultrasound everyday, you are able to rid yourself of bursitis pain; this is best accomplished with a personal, therapeutic ultrasound device.

Ultrasound therapy is a great therapeutic option to decrease inflammation, pain and soft tissue (muscle, connective and nerve tissue) damage experienced with hip bursitis and other injuries. The treatment is easy, painless, and generally requires between 5 - 10 minutes of your time. It is based on a form of deep thermal therapy which is generated through high frequency sound waves that reach into the cells of the tissue. These sound waves help to reduce the fluid build up in the bursa, heal any tissue damaged through trauma, reduce scar tissue, as well as reduce any crystal or calcific deposits that may have gathered in the area.

The sound waves send vibrations into your bursa and surrounding tissue to raise the temperature of your soft tissue. By raising the temperature, blood flow increases to the area, delivering nutrient filled blood to heal the area and whisking away the excess fluid and damaged tissue. The waves are delivered through a hand held transducer along with MendMeShop medicinal conductive gel in a slow, circular motion on your skin over the injured area.

If not treated properly, injured tissue can heal with a weakened state which can lead to scar tissue or calcification, adding to the bursitis pain you are already experiencing. If used on an ongoing basis, ultrasound will help to increase the range of motion in your hip by breaking down any scar tissue that may form because of bursitis and/or tendonitis.

The MendMeShop Ultrasound Therapy System is the device you need to treat your bursitis once and for all. It comes with a bottle of the MendMeShop Lavender Infusion Gel so you get two therapies in one. The medicinal ingredients of natural Bulgarian lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and menthol help to stimulate blood flow, widen blood vessels to enhance blood flow, and act as an anti-inflammatory deep in the tissue to enhance your ultrasound therapy through a process called phonophoresis.

Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy

When your bursa is injured and inflamed, your body needs a fresh supply of blood to rid the area of inflammation and get your bursa and any other damaged tissue back to normal. Unfortunately, when you have bursitis in your hip it is painful to move your leg or to walk. When you limit movement in your hip joint the blood flow is reduced, starving your tissue of the necessary oxygen and nutrients. The trick is to find a way to increase the healing flow of blood without causing pain in your hip and/or further inflaming the bursa. This is where Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST) becomes a powerful tool. BFST compliments your body’s natural healing process by promoting the flow of blood to your hip while you give it the rest it needs.

The Back/Hip Inferno Wrap™ uses a patented process to generate the same energy that is part of the sun's spectrum of light, the same energy that is necessary to all living things for optimum health. The energy emitted from the Energy Web™ delivers waves to the bursa and surrounding tissue and stimulates blood flow to your hip. By reaching deep into your hip bursa and tendons, you are able to reduce the inflammation in your bursa and whisk away the toxins that build up from inflammation and tissue damage.

Once you have calmed the pain and inflammation in your bursa with the use of the Back/Hip Freezie Wrap™ you can begin the healing process with ultrasound therapy and BFST. This 3 step process is the most effective method to treat your swollen and painful bursa, reduce the inflamed fluid in the bursa and heal any tissue damage in your hip.

Pain and Anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be used if required to help manage your pain. However, these aren't recommended for long term use, as they can cause gastrointestinal difficulties and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The use of cold therapy, ultrasound and BFST in conjunction with NSAIDs can greatly improve the effect of this medication and can help to heal quicker.

Rehabiliation Exercise

Physical Therapy is a beneficial way to restore atrophied muscles and improve strength and mobility after treating trochanteric bursitis. The type of physical therapy and the duration will be dependent on the tissue damage and your symptoms. When you are treating or recovering from bursitis, it is important to ensure you do not perform any exercises that will further irritate the bursa.

Once your pain starts to diminish, a physiotherapist will set up an individualized strengthening and stretching exercise program for you to perform at home or in the gym. This will be based on your needs and abilities, and will help you return to performing your normal routines. It is extremely important to strengthen your muscles properly, as they may have weakened during the period of non-use. A trained therapist will help to ensure your rehabilitation process is effective. For best, long term results use ultrasound and BFST in conjunction with physical therapy and an exercise program.

During your recovery, you may have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort in your hip area until your pain and inflammation settle, and you gain more mobility and strength in your hip. The more diligent you are with your rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results.

Or email us at service@AidMyBursa.com