Bursitis of the hip is the most common cause of hip pain. This story provides information about the various symptoms and treatment options available for this condition.
Rajib Singha
The movement between any two tissues in our body is taken care of by a closed fluid-filled sac known as a bursa. This sac serves as a gliding surface in order to lessen the friction, which occurs when two tissues slide over one another.
The tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, are the ones which have the main bursae (plural of 'bursa') in a location adjacent to them.
So, when these bursae, due to certain factors, become inflamed, they give rise to a condition which is known as bursitis. The condition can be caused due to running-oriented sports, trauma to thighs, or symptoms of a surgery related to the hip.
Symptoms
The hip consists of three main bursae; the trochanteric bursa, the ischial bursa, and the iliopectineal bursa. The bursitis symptoms of all these three differ from one another.
In case of a trochanteric bursitis, the affected person may experience a dull pain on the outer hip. This pain also gives rise to a burning sensation, and its intensity increases with excessive walking or climbing stairs. Another symptom of trochanteric bursitis is tenderness of the outer hip.
In case of ischial bursitis, pain in the upper buttock area is most noticeable. It aggravates when climbing up a hill (any movement involving elevation). This pain might also crop up if the patient has been sitting on hard surface for a long time. Iliopectineal bursitis causes pain in the groin area.
Treatment
The treatment is aimed towards keeping a check on the inflammation, and reducing the discomfort arising from the symptoms. The affected person must take complete rest, and avoid any activities which might aggravate the pain, like any sport.
The doctor may prescribe certain anti-inflammatory medications, which will bring the pain and the inflammation under control.
The use of ice also helps in the treatment of this condition. It helps in controlling the inflammation and restoring the blood flow to the affected area.
Drainage of the bursa fluid may be recommended by some doctors. This process is recommended in cases where there is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the bursa. It involves the removal of the fluid with the help of a needle and a syringe.
However, this method is rarely performed in case of a hip bursitis. Non-infectious conditions can also be treated with an injection of cortisone, as it is helpful in alleviating pain. This may also be accompanied by the draining of the bursa fluid.
Apart from all these medical procedures, stretching exercises and some physical therapy is also recommended once the symptoms are under control. These exercises help in conditioning the muscles and tendons and, thus, aid them in gliding more easily, thereby minimizing the risk of a hip bursitis.
People who take proper rest, medication, and exercise regularly have good chances a speedy recovery. However, in some cases, the condition may recur. Surgery is the last option when none of the aforementioned treatment options work. Otherwise, a surgery for treating this condition is a rarity.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.