Trochanteric bursitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), also known as lateral hip pain or trochanteric bursitis, is a common and painful condition which affects the outer side of the hip and thigh. It occurs when the tissues which lie over the outside of the hip bone (greater trochanter) become irritated.

The soft tissues that attach to the outside of the hip include tendons and bursa. When these become overloaded they are the primary sources of pain caused by GTPS.

It’s more common in women, people aged 30-50 and runners, but it can also affect any age.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is the irritation or inflammation of a fluid filled sac called a bursa. We have bursas all over our body, and they’re mostly found around areas in the body in which friction can occur.

They contain synovial fluid and they help reduce irritation between the soft tissues.

When muscles or tendons around the hip become tight, they can often irritate the bursa, causing it to become inflamed and painful.

What is the trochanteric bursa?

The location of the trochanteric bursa is found over the bony outside (lateral) point of your hip. It will normally be painful and tender when you press on the area.

Symptoms of trochanteric bursitis

• Pain over the lateral upper thigh part of your leg (bony point of your hip).
• Pain will be more so on movement. Stairs and laying on the hip can be uncomfortable and it may wake you at night time if you sleep on it or roll over onto it.
• Pain can radiate slightly down the leg towards the knee.

Treatment and self-management of trochanteric bursitis

Usually in trochanteric bursitis, the soft tissues around the hip are tight or the actual hip joint itself may have become stiff. So, the first place to start with helping to manage it, is to try and stretch and mobilise the hip and the muscles around it that make the hip move.

It would also be helpful to look at the range of movement in your lower back and knees. If there are any reductions in mobility or even reduced strength in these areas, this also maybe the underlying cause of why the pain started in the first place.

A good stretching and mobility plan would be useful in making sure your lower back and lower limbs are keeping good full mobility. Yoga can be helpful to add into your normal training schedule.

The use of ice and anti-inflammatory medication, are also great at reducing the pain. Soft tissue massage can be helpful in reducing the tension of the tissues around the hip, and enlisting the help of a massage therapist or physiotherapist for help here may also be of benefit.

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