By: Dr. Brandon Stanley PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. DN/SMT

Have you recently noticed pain in the side of your hip when walking, sitting or lying down? Does the side of your hip feel tender to touch? You might be suffering from a common condition known as trochanteric bursitis.  Trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae located at the greater trochanter. You might wonder what is a bursae or where is the greater trochanter? I’ll start first with the greater trochanter, which is the bony prominence on the side of the hip. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning between bones and soft tissues to reduce friction to help enable smooth movement. There is a bursae located between the greater trochanter and the iliotibial band (band of tissue that runs from the outer hip to the knee). This bursae can become inflamed or irritated, causing significant pain and discomfort within the hip region.

Trochanteric bursitis can occur from many scenarios such repetitive motion, traumatic hip injuries (such as falling or direct trauma), poor posture, bone spurs, muscle tears, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-surgical complications. Common symptoms include dull aching hip pain, pain when lying directly on affected side, pain/discomfort when using or moving your hip, swelling, decreased hip range of motion, catching or clicking sensation, and weakness of the lateral hip muscles. Physical therapy can help address the symptoms caused by trochanteric bursitis. A physical therapy treatment plan that involves therapeutic exercises, manual therapy and movement mechanic corrections can address symptoms.

Physical therapy will help reduce pain by using targeted exercises and manual therapy to the lateral hip region. A focus on improving mobility while building strength will help improve patient’s symptoms while building confidence. Education provided from physical therapy will help prevent recurrence of symptoms by providing patient with home exercise plan that focuses on strength, flexibility and movement mechanics.

At Professional Rehabilitation Services, we treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions using the latest evidence-based therapies provided by highly credentialed physical therapists. Professional Rehabilitation Services has nine convenient locations in Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Market Common, Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Little River, Longs and Forestbrook.

For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Richard DeFalco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CWcHP at Professional Rehabilitation Services (Myrtle Beach) (843) 839-1300, Brian P. Kinmartin PT, DPT, MTC, STC, OCS, CWcHP (Pawleys Island) (843) 235-0200, Richard A. Owens, MPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CWcHP (Surfside) (843) 831-0163, Jill P. Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Conway) (843) 773-3031, Lisa O’Brien, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Murrells Inlet) (843) 314-3224, Brandon Stanley, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. DN/SMT (Little River) (843) 281-4222, (Carolina Forest) (843) 282-0440, Zach Daniels PT, DPT (Market Commons) (843) 213-6338, Kayla Carlisle, PT, DPT (Longs) (843) 491-0388, Mackenzie Thacker PT, DPT (Forestbrook) (854) 223-4832 or visit our website at www.prsrehabservices.com where you can learn more about the company and even download a referral form for your physician to fill out. You can also call and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.