Trochanteric bursitis is usually managed in stages, starting with simple measures: adjusting activity, using ice locally, and short courses of NSAIDs to ease pain and reduce inflammation. Early steps include avoiding lying on the affected side and cutting back on movements that trigger pain. Rehabilitation then focuses on strengthening the hip abductors, stretching the iliotibial (IT) band, retraining gait, and gradually returning to sport or higher‑impact activity. If pain continues despite these steps, corticosteroid injections—often given with ultrasound guidance—can help, and only rare cases need surgical removal of the bursa or tendon repair. Read on for practical, step‑by‑step guidance and treatment details.
Key Takeaways
Rest the hip, avoid actions that increase side‑hip pain, and don’t sleep on the painful side.
Ice the outer hip for 15–20 minutes several times a day during the first 48–72 hours to reduce swelling and soreness.
Take OTC NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen) as directed if appropriate for you, to control pain and inflammation.
Start physical therapy that emphasizes hip abductor strengthening, IT band flexibility, and gait/motor‑control retraining.
Consider a corticosteroid injection—sometimes given under ultrasound—for faster relief; surgery is a last resort after nonoperative care fails.
Causes and Risk Factors
What makes someone more likely to get trochanteric bursitis? Several factors increase risk: age (over 40), female sex, being overweight, and differences in leg length that change hip mechanics. Repetitive stress from running, dancing, other sports, or long periods of standing can cause friction and inflammation of the bursa. A direct blow or fall onto the hip can also trigger symptoms. Existing joint problems — such as knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or prior hip surgery — raise the chance of developing bursitis and can slow recovery. Knowing these contributors helps you target prevention: modify high‑risk activities, manage weight, and correct biomechanical issues when possible.
Recognizing Symptoms and Diagnosing Trochanteric Bursitis
How does trochanteric bursitis usually show up? Most people have lateral hip pain centered over the greater trochanter, often tender to touch and sometimes spreading down the outer thigh. Pain can be sharp with activity and later become a constant, dull ache that gets worse with side‑lying, long standing, climbing stairs, or long walks. On exam, clinicians look for point tenderness at the greater trochanter and check for IT band tightness and gait problems. Because other hip conditions can cause similar symptoms, imaging — X‑rays, ultrasound, or MRI — is used selectively to rule out fractures, arthritis, or tendon tears. Relief after a local anesthetic (with or without steroid) injected around the bursa also supports the diagnosis.
Immediate Self-Care: Rest, Ice, and Medications
At the first flare of lateral hip pain from trochanteric bursitis, focus on measures that limit irritation: relative rest, targeted cold therapy, and appropriate pain relief. Avoid activities that reproduce the pain and don’t lie on the sore side while sleeping. Apply ice to the outer hip for 15–20 minutes several times daily during the first 48–72 hours to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort. Over‑the‑counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen may help if they’re safe for you; follow dosing instructions and check with a clinician if you have health conditions or take other medications. See a healthcare provider if pain lasts more than a few days, gets worse, or is accompanied by fever or noticeable swelling.
Physical Therapy and Exercise Programs
Rehabilitation focuses on targeted exercises that reduce load on the outer hip and restore stability. Physical therapy centers on hip abductor strengthening and improving IT band flexibility to offload the greater trochanter. Programs usually begin with low‑impact, pain‑limited exercises and progress to moderate resistance and neuromuscular work as tolerated. Therapists may add manual techniques and motor‑control training to correct gait and pelvic mechanics. Sessions prioritize practical tasks—walking, navigating stairs—and a staged return to running or high‑impact sports. Doing your home exercises and increasing load slowly are key to preventing recurrence and keeping the gains in strength and control.
Advanced Treatments: Injections and Surgical Options
When conservative care doesn’t relieve symptoms, consider advanced options such as injections or surgery. A corticosteroid injection with local anesthetic often gives quick pain relief and can be combined with physical therapy and activity changes as part of a broader plan. If relief is short‑lived, injections can sometimes be repeated at 4–6 week intervals, and ultrasound guidance may improve accuracy. Surgery is reserved for ongoing symptoms after extended nonoperative treatment and aims to restore function—procedures include bursal excision (open or endoscopic) and repair of associated gluteal tendon damage. The decision and timing for surgery are individualized and generally follow months or longer of failed conservative care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Trochanteric Bursitis Ever Go Away?
Yes. Many people recover with conservative measures over weeks to months. Rest, NSAIDs, icing, stretching, and physical therapy often provide significant relief, though some patients need injections or other interventions if symptoms persist.
What Is the Fastest Way to Heal Bursitis of the Hip?
The quickest relief often comes from a corticosteroid injection with local anesthetic, combined with short‑term activity modification, ice, appropriate NSAIDs, and early targeted physical therapy. Ultrasound guidance can improve injection accuracy.
What Triggers Trochanteric Bursitis?
Repetitive stress on the outer hip—from running, dancing, long standing, or falls—can trigger bursitis. Biomechanical issues (tight IT band, leg‑length differences), obesity, older age, female sex, and hip or knee arthritis also increase risk.
Should I Walk if I Have Trochanteric Bursitis?
Yes—gentle, moderate walking is usually fine. Start with shorter, slower walks, avoid long uphill routes that worsen lateral hip pain, wear supportive shoes, and reduce activity during acute flare‑ups to allow healing.
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Sources
Mitchell, J., Chahla, J., Vap, A., Menge, T., Soares, E., Frank, J., … & Philippon, M. (2016). Endoscopic trochanteric bursectomy and iliotibial band release for persistent trochanteric bursitis. Arthroscopy Techniques, 5(5), e1185-e1189.https://www.arthroscopytechniques.org/article/S2212-6287(16)30075-5/fulltext
Disantis, A. and Martin, R. (2022). Classification based treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (gtps) with integration of the movement system. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 17(3). https://ijspt.scholasticahq.com/article/32981-classification-based-treatment-of-greater-trochanteric-pain-syndrome-gtps-with-integration-of-the-movement-system
Lin, C. and Fredericson, M. (2014). Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: an update on diagnosis and management. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports, 3(1), 60-66. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40141-014-0071-0
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