What is hip bursitis?
Hip bursitis is a condition that can cause pain around the outer hip and thigh area. It is caused by inflammation of the hip bursae which are fluid filled, sac-like structures located under tendons and muscles of the hip joint. The role of the hip bursae is to allow more comfortable movement and to protect tendons and muscles that connect to the femur (thigh bone).
What are the causes of hip bursitis?
- Direct trauma (e.g. a fall on to your outer hip)
- Poor biomechanics (e.g muscle weakness, stiff/tight hip joint range of motion, excessive flat foot posture, reduced body awareness and core stability)
- Carrying excess body weight
- Overload (e.g increasing your amount of activity too quickly)
- Compression (e.g laying on the affected side to sleep, crossing your legs)
There is also some research suggesting hip bursitis is more common in women over the age of 50, as well as those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
How can physiotherapy help?
There are a number of treatment options to help with hip bursitis and your physiotherapist is well placed to guide you through your recovery. Your physiotherapist can help by:
- Designing a program including strength and stretching exercises to help with your pain
- Recommending simple pain management strategies to try at home (e.g using a pillow to position for comfort as you sleep)
- Guiding you through a hydrotherapy program to work on your strength in the water which is a more supportive environment
- Massaging or using dry needling to help release tight muscles around your hip
- Refer you to a doctor to discuss imaging or any need for medication or cortisone injection
If you have been experiencing pain around your hip give our practice a call on 6237 0045! We can book you in for an assessment so we can explore your options for treatment and start you on your road to recovery!
Written by Kirsty Whalan (MPhysio, BExSc, APAM)