Hip Bursitis
Do you experience persistent pain on the outside of your hip that worsens with walking, climbing stairs, lying on your side, or getting up from a chair? Does the discomfort sometimes travel down the outside of your thigh? These symptoms may be associated with hip bursitis, a common condition that can cause significant discomfort and limit mobility.
Hip bursitis often develops gradually and may interfere with exercise, sleep, and everyday movement. With proper evaluation and treatment, most individuals are able to reduce pain and return to normal activity.
At Rose Physical Therapy, with clinic locations in Farragut North, Friendship Heights, and Navy Yard in Washington, DC, physical therapists provide individualized treatment plans designed to reduce inflammation, restore movement, and improve hip strength and stability.
Understanding Hip Bursitis
Bursae are small fluid filled sacs that act as cushions between bones and surrounding soft tissues such as tendons and muscles. They help reduce friction and allow joints to move smoothly.
In the hip, the most commonly affected structure is the trochanteric bursa, which sits over the outer portion of the hip bone known as the greater trochanter.
When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it can lead to trochanteric bursitis, a condition characterized by pain along the outside of the hip.
This condition is often associated with irritation of nearby tendons and muscles that attach to the hip, which is why modern research often groups it under the broader term greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
Common Causes of Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis typically develops when repeated stress or irritation affects the tissues surrounding the hip.
Repetitive Motion
Activities involving repeated hip movement such as running, cycling, stair climbing, or long walks can irritate the bursa over time.
Direct Trauma
A fall or direct blow to the outside of the hip may trigger inflammation in the bursa.
Overuse
Suddenly increasing physical activity without proper conditioning can overload the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip.
Muscle Weakness or Imbalances
Weakness in the hip abductor muscles, particularly the gluteal muscles, can alter hip mechanics and increase stress on the outer hip.
Structural Factors
Certain structural issues may contribute to irritation of the bursa, including
• Bone spurs
• Calcium deposits
• Differences in leg length
• Altered walking mechanics
Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
The primary symptom of hip bursitis is pain along the outside of the hip.
Symptoms may include
• Sharp pain on the outside of the hip that later becomes a dull ache
• Pain that worsens when walking, running, or climbing stairs
• Discomfort when getting in and out of a vehicle
• Pain when lying on the affected side
• Tenderness when pressing on the outside of the hip
• Pain that may radiate down the outer thigh
• Increased stiffness in the morning or after periods of inactivity
• Pain after prolonged sitting or standing
Symptoms may begin gradually and worsen with continued activity if the underlying cause is not addressed.
How Hip Bursitis Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis usually begins with a comprehensive clinical evaluation performed by a healthcare provider such as a physical therapist or physician.
The evaluation typically includes
Medical History
Your healthcare provider will discuss when the symptoms began, what activities worsen the pain, and your current activity level.
Physical Examination
The hip will be assessed for
• Range of motion
• Muscle strength
• Walking pattern
• Tenderness along the outer hip
Specific tests help differentiate bursitis from other hip conditions such as labral injuries, muscle strains, or lower back related pain.
Movement Analysis
Your physical therapist may evaluate how you perform movements such as walking, squatting, or stair climbing to identify mechanical factors contributing to the pain.
Physical Therapy for Hip Bursitis
Physical therapy plays an important role in reducing pain, restoring normal movement, and preventing the condition from returning.
At Rose Physical Therapy, treatment plans are customized to each patient's symptoms, activity level, and goals.
Pain Management
Therapeutic techniques such as ice, heat, or other modalities may be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Manual Therapy
Hands on treatment techniques can help improve joint mobility and reduce muscle tightness in the hip, leg, and lower back.
Therapeutic Exercise
Exercise programs focus on restoring strength, flexibility, and stability.
These may include
Flexibility Exercises
Gentle stretching to improve mobility of the hip flexors, hamstrings, and groin muscles.
Hip Abductor Strengthening
Strengthening the gluteal muscles helps improve hip stability and reduce stress on the bursa.
Core and Hip Stability Training
Strengthening the core and surrounding hip muscles improves overall lower body control.
Gait Training
Physical therapists may analyze walking patterns and provide guidance to improve movement mechanics and reduce stress on the hip.
Activity Modification
Certain activities may need to be temporarily adjusted while the hip heals. Physical therapists provide guidance on how to stay active while protecting the hip.
Body Mechanics Education
Instruction on safe movement during daily activities helps prevent unnecessary strain on the hip.
Personalized Home Exercise Program
Patients receive a structured home program designed to maintain progress and prevent future flare ups after completing therapy.
Hip Bursitis Treatment in Washington, DC
Hip bursitis can interfere with daily life, sleep, and physical activity, but with appropriate treatment most individuals experience significant improvement.
At Rose Physical Therapy, individualized treatment programs focus on reducing pain, improving hip strength, and restoring normal movement.
If you are experiencing persistent outer hip pain, schedule an evaluation at one of the Washington, DC clinic locations
Farragut North
Friendship Heights
Navy Yard
Rose Physical Therapy provides comprehensive care designed to reduce hip pain, improve mobility, and help patients return safely to their daily activities and exercise routines.