Get Relief from Trochanteric Bursitis

What is Trochanteric Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis (bursitis of the hip) is a common condition among those who lead a sedentary lifestyle as well as those who are physically active. Both hips can be effected, but most frequently it is a unilateral condition. This condition can occur in adults of any age, but most common in women as compared to men (the ratio being 4:1).

It sometimes occurs as a complication of arthroscopic surgery of the hip, but its occurrence is rare.

Causes

This condition may develop for any of the following reasons:

•  If you accidentally fall on your hip,  sleep or lie down only on one side of your body for longer periods of time.
• Play certain sports, carry out physical activities that cause injury to the joint areas, or if the joint area is overused; it may put unwanted strain on the bursa. Such activities may include running up stairs, climbing a mountain, walking for long periods of time, or standing continuously for long periods of time
• If  your posture is incorrect.
• Other conditions of the bone and joints such as rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, psoriasis, and thyroid disease are also known to cause trochanteric bursitis.
• On rare occasions, it occurs as a result of an unusual drug reaction or infection.
• If there is a history of past surgery around the hip, or if there is a prosthesis in the hip joint, this too can cause trochanteric bursitis to develop.
• There may be calcium deposits in the tendons that attach themselves to the trochanter. This can occur due to a condition called gout. When calcium deposits develop, trochanteric bursitis can form.

Symptoms

People with Trochanteric bursitis  experience stiffness and pain around the hip joint, and  in the thigh region and the buttocks.

There may be pain when a person lying down on the affected side making sleep difficult.

It may be painful to gently press on the outside of hip.

Pain can be worse after an activity like climbing stairs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the history of the outer hip pain. Pain may radiate down the thigh, but it should not radiate down to the foot.

Patients complain of pain when climbing up the stairs or when lying on the affected side at night..

Physicians may palpate the entire hip and check for tenderness. The tender area is the point of the inflamed bursa. Therefore, history and physical examination is generally enough to make a diagnosis, but  may order an x-ray to rule out other conditions of the bone and joints such as arthritis, fractures, or even cancer.

MRI, though expensive and not used routinely, gives an accurate image of the bursa.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and swelling and to make the hip function normally.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for Hip Bursitis

The treatment for mild  hip bursitis typically includes rest, ice, stretching and soft tissue massage. An option for individuals with more intense pain  is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy.  PRP utilizes the body’s own platelets to heal itself.

PRP has shown to significantly accelerate the rate in which a person with trochanteric bursitis sees their condition improve. In studies, PRP has proven to outperform traditional treatment protocols. It was responsible, at least in part, for helping NFL superstars, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, return from their respective injuries in record time, allowing them to participate in the 2009 Super Bowl.

When a person undergoes PRP therapy, platelets are extracted from their own blood and then injected into the site of the injury.  Platelets contain growth factors, protein molecules that promote healing. PRP therapy utilizes concentrated amounts of platelets and thus growth factors,  to accelerate the healing process.