I have pain on the side of my hip, is it my back or hip?
I have pain on the outside of my hip?
Greater trochanteric bursitis is a common cause of pain on the side of the hip. Bursitis is known as the inflammation of a fluid filled sac called a bursa. These bursa’s are throughout our bodies to prevent other structures from rubbing on one another.
Figure 1: Hip Pain - Hip Bursitis - Physio Frenchs Forest, Physio Macquarie Park
What are the signs and symptoms of hip bursitis?
- Pain at the side of the hip, particularly when standing on that leg alone.
- Painful when laying on that side at night time.
- Pain when going up or down stairs.
- Pain immediately after sitting down for a long
period.
What causes hip bursitis?
Bursitis of the hip is often caused due to excessive friction or rubbing of the muscles that run alongside the hip. It can also occur when an individual lands directly on the side of the hip. Sports this condition is quite common in are runners and cyclists. Finally it is also prevalent in those with weak hip muscles or those with back pain.
Do I need any imaging such as an ultrasound or an MRI for hip bursitis?
If a patient would like any imaging to confirm this pain, an ultrasound is recommended. However this condition can be diagnosed by a physiotherapist by assessing for tenderness of the bursa and performing special hip tests.
How can Physiotherapy help hip bursitis?
1) Firstly it’s important to identify what factor may be causing excessive friction on the bursa and ensure you limit what this may be.
2) The physiotherapist will then identify which of your biomechanics may be contributing to the excessive friction such as weak or tight gluteal muscles or poor hip/knee and foot tracking.
3) The physiotherapist will then prescribe you exercises that will aim to re-store correct biomechanics and reduce any pain you may have.
4) The physiotherapist may advise that an injection is suitable to you or whether you should seek further information from your GP about taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
See our expert Physiotherapy team at Frenchs Forest and Macquarie Park!
Reece Jones
Principal Physiotherapist
Set in Motion Physiotherapy