Hip bursitis, also known as trochanteric bursitis, is an inflammation of the bursae in your hip joint. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and lubricate your joints, helping to reduce friction between bones, muscles, and tendons. When a bursa becomes inflamed, it can cause pain and discomfort in the affected area.
Bursitis usually occurs at joints that experience repetitive movements such as the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow, and heel.
Hip bursitis usually occurs in the trochanteric bursa (located outside the hip) and can affect anyone.
What causes hip bursitis?
Hip bursitis can be caused by the following:
Trauma or injury: a direct hit or blow to the point of the hip can cause the bursae to become inflamed, resulting in bursitis.
Repetitive hip movements: activities such as running or climbing up stairs can cause overuse of the hip joint. This puts stress on it, which can lead to inflammation of the bursae or bursitis.
Infection: occurs when the bursa gets infected with bacteria (e.g., staphylococcus) resulting in infectious bursitis.
Hip bursitis occurs when the trochanteric bursa becomes inflamed.
What are the symptoms of hip bursitis?
Symptoms of hip bursitis include:
Pain in your hip
Tenderness and swelling on the outside of your hip
Pain that worsens with prolonged activity
Pain when lying on the affected side
Stiffness and reduced range of motion in your hip joint
Aching or burning sensation in the outer hip area
Discomfort when climbing stairs or getting up from a seated position
If you notice any of the symptoms, make an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Puah KL is our Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Artisan Sports & Orthopaedic Surgery. He used to serve the sports service of Singapore General Hospital - the highest volume trauma centre for orthopaedics in Singapore.
Hip bursitis can be painful, it is one of the main symptoms of this condition, and it is often felt in the outer hip or thigh. The pain may be sharp or dull, and it can be exacerbated by activities that involve bending or stretching the affected hip joint.
You may experience worse pain at night, making it difficult to sleep on the affected side, and may even cause stiffness and tenderness. If left untreated, hip bursitis may worsen over time and continue to make performing daily activities difficult.
Hip bursitis is usually accompanied by pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the hip.
Who is at risk of hip bursitis in Singapore?
Anyone can develop hip bursitis, but certain factors may increase the risk.
These include:
Age: the risk of hip bursitis increases with age.
Hobbies or occupations: repetitive activities such as gardening, painting, construction work, or playing musical instruments can increase the risk of hip bursitis.
History of hip injury or surgery: hip injuries and surgeries such as prosthetic hip implants can increase the risk of hip bursitis.
Poor posture: some medical conditions such as arthritis or scoliosis can give rise to poor posture which puts excess pressure or strain on the hip joint, increasing the risk of hip bursitis.
Other medical conditions: such as rheumatoid arthritiscan make you more prone to hip bursitis.
How is hip bursitis diagnosed?
Hip bursitis is diagnosed in the following ways:
Physical examination: your orthopaedist will ask about your medical history and any previous injuries, check for swelling, tenderness, and your range of motion.
