Hip Bursitis: Why You Need Physical Therapy
Hip bursitis is a painful condition of the hip musculature that can be very painful to walk or stand on. It’s caused by a buildup of fluid in the hip bursa, a small saclike pouch between the side of your hip and thigh muscles. Hip bursitis is most common in people with osteoarthritis but can also occur in younger people who don’t have arthritis. Most people who experience hip bursitis may not relate the pain to an exact event. They’ll suddenly notice pain during activity or even at rest. See an expert therapist if you have had an injury to your hip. Treatment can consist of rest and physical therapy to help decrease inflammation and relieve pain. Read more about how physical therapy can help you deal with hip bursitis.
What is Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a small sac located between the muscles and the bony protrusion on the side of the hip. The bursa fills with fluid and causes pain. The exact cause of hip bursitis is unknown, but it’s believed to result from overuse or trauma to the area. It may also be related to injury or surgery in the area. The exact cause of hip bursitis isn’t known, but experts believe that an injury to your lateral thigh bone, femur, may cause inflammation in the area to the side of your hip joint, which can result in pain and swelling.
If you’ve experienced these symptoms, speak with our expert therapists about what steps you can take to reduce your chances of re-injuring yourself and prevent more serious complications.
What are the Symptoms of Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis symptoms are usually severe enough to require treatment by our expert therapists. It is important to seek medical attention if you begin experiencing any of these symptoms because they could indicate a more serious condition, such as an infection or fracture in your hip area.
The symptoms of hip bursitis are as follows:
- Pain at the side of the hip joint area or groin (which may worsen at night).
- Swelling of the side of the hip joint.
- Pain that moves to the groin or leg if you move the affected leg too far away from your body.
- Joint stiffness that improves with rest
- Redness and warmth around the affected joint
What are the Most Common Causes of Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s most often caused by overuse, which can put extra strain on your hip joint.
If you’re not careful, hip bursitis can become a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment or medication. The most common causes of hip bursitis include:
- Taking too many steps when walking, running, or jogging.
- Sitting for long periods without moving around.
- Kneeling for extended periods, such as when laying carpet or scrubbing floors.
- Wearing tight shoes that don’t offer enough support for your feet.
- Being overweight or obese.
Whatever the cause of your pain, Twin Boro Physical Therapy, when used as part of your treatment plan, can have a dramatic effect on your long-term recovery. In fact, physical therapy has been successful in reducing the need for surgery in many patients, decreasing pain, and even improving mobility in pre- and post-surgery patients.
Do You Need Physical Therapy for Hip Bursitis?
Physical therapy is a great option for hip bursitis because it treats the condition without medication. Additionally, physical therapy can help you to strengthen your muscles and improve your balance.
Often, hip bursitis is caused by inflammation of the bursa sacs located between the muscles, tendons, and bones of the hip joint. This causes pain in that area and sudden, sharp pain that occurs when standing on the affected side.
Physical therapy can help you to decrease the pain around your groin that extends in a straight line away from the hip. Your physical therapist will work with you on exercises designed specifically for your condition so that you can strengthen your muscles and improve your balance.
What are the Treatments for Hip Bursitis?
There are several different treatments for hip bursitis. The therapist or care provider may recommend one or more of the following:
- Medication prescribed by your physician. Medication to decrease pain or inflammation If your bursa is inflamed because of an infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics.
- Physical Therapy. Physical therapy or exercise can strengthen the core muscles in the abdominal region and hips, which will help alleviate pain as well prevent future occurrences.
- Cold therapy. Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain caused by bursitis. It’s important not to apply ice directly on your skin because this could cause frostbite – instead, wrap an ice pack in a towel before applying it directly over your hip area for 20 minutes every two hours throughout the day (or whenever needed).
- Surgery. A surgical procedure often drains inflamed bursae. However, surgery is rarely used to remove the entire bursa.
- Resting the hip. If you have hip pain, resting is one of the best ways to help reduce your symptoms. You should avoid activities that cause pain and inflammation in your hip and focus on less strenuous activities such as walking, swimming, or biking instead.
When Should I Visit a Physical Therapist for Hip Bursitis?
If you think you have hip bursitis, it’s important to see a physical therapist as soon as possible because your symptoms will probably get worse if left untreated. Your PT will work with you to determine what movements cause pain and help you develop exercises that can help relieve and prevent future flare-ups. Consult a care provider in case of the following symptoms:
- Pain in the hip area, which may be worse when walking or bending down.
- Pain in the buttock or upper thigh area.
- Pain on one side of the hip that radiates down into the groin and thigh.
- Swelling of the hip joint area that lasts for more than 48 hours after an injury to that area (such as falling or twisting while playing sports).
Why Choose Twin Boro for Treatment for Hip Bursitis?
At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, our team of physical therapists is an expert in treating hip bursitis. We offer various treatment options to help alleviate your symptoms and allow you to live your best life! Contact us today at 1-866-525-1117 for a free screening or consultation with one of our physical therapists. Our clinicians will listen to your concerns, help determine if you are a candidate for physical therapy treatments and guide you through the scheduling process to make it as easy as possible!
