Hip pain (trochanteric bursitis)

Trochanteric bursitis refers to inflammation and swelling of the bursa located between the point of the hip (trochanter) and the overlying gluteal muscles. A bursa is a fluid filled sac which allows adjacent tissues to slide over one another without friction.

CAUSE

It occurs when the trochanteric bursa is irritated because of excessive friction on the bursa. Trochanteric bursa works to allow the gluteal muscles to slide smoothly and without friction over the point of the hip. When these muscles are pulled tight, they place increased pressure and friction on the bursa. This increases wear and tear on the bursa, causing microtrauma, which, overtime can result in bursal thickening, inflammation and bursitis.

SYMPTOMS

Trochanteric bursitis causes pain over the outside of the hip. In some instances this pain may radiate down the outside of the thigh as far as the knee. The pain may be aggravated by activities that involve movement of the hip such as walking, running, stair climbing, crossing your legs and getting in and out of the car.