Physiotherapy for Hip Bursitis

Physiotherapy for Hip Bursitis/Greater Trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS)

One of the most common causes of hip pain is trochanteric bursitis, so we’ve put together this article outlining what hip bursitis is, some exercises we commonly prescribe for patients with this problem and what to look out for.

What is trochanteric hip bursitis? 

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common and painful condition that affects the outer side of the hip and thigh. It occurs when the tissues that lie over the outside of the hip bone (greater trochanter) become irritated, and the tendons of the glutes develop tendinopathy or tears. The fluid-filled sac between the joints that supports the joint also can become inflamed.

Hip bursitis (inflammation of the bursa) is very rare in isolation – new research has found that it is often a glute tendon pathology (tendinopathy or tear) that is the primary cause of hip pain.

What can cause hip bursitis?

GTPS and hip bursitis can be caused/contributed by the following:

– Direct trauma

– Overload/Overuse of the tendons/muscles of the hip

– Compression of the tendon/bursa

– Female 

– Poor pelvic control / weak glute muscles (hip abductors)

– Obesity 

How might I know I have hip bursitis?

Some common signs and symptoms of people presenting to the clinic with GTSP (Hip bursitis) to look out for can be:

– Outside/Lateral hip pain

– Pain to thigh or knee

– Local tenderness outside of the hip

– Pain in the hip with lying on the affected side

– Pain in the hip with any weight-bearing activities (stairs, walking, jumping, running)

– Pain with sitting cross-legged or any prolonged sitting

– It is recommended people with hip bursitis avoid aggravating positions, such as cross-legged, to avoid further aggravating the bursa inside the joint 

How can physiotherapy help my hip bursitis? 

One of our trained physiotherapists will perform a thorough lower limb assessment, looking at your range of motion, strength, functional capacity and production of pain to determine if your pathology is GTPS/Hip bursitis or another hip pathology.

Once it has been confirmed, our physios will create a tailored program to address your pain and any deficits found. This can involve strengthening exercises, stretches, education about the pathology, things to avoid/do differently and ways to increase your recovery rate. 

Another available option in the clinic is shockwave therapy, a modality used to increase healing rates – the physiotherapists will ensure that this is an appropriate option for you during your consultation.

Other options available through your GP could be a steroid injection, use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Neurofen etc) or surgery if, in severe cases, conservative management above has failed or there is a significant tendon tear in the hip.

Book today online or call us on 4970 5447 to see one of our expert Physiotherapists about getting your sore hip treated and managed!