Trochanteric Bursitis

9 July 2025

Overview

Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa—a fluid-filled sac—over the bony point of the hip (greater trochanter). It causes pain on the outer side of the thigh and is a common reason for lateral hip pain in adults, especially runners and people who stand for long periods. At The New Foscote Hospital, our orthopaedic and physiotherapy teams offer rapid diagnosis, targeted treatment and rehabilitation to relieve pain and restore mobility.

Causes & Risk Factors

Repetitive friction

Distance running, hill walking, stair climbing

Muscle imbalance or weakness

Weak gluteal muscles, tight iliotibial band

Direct trauma

Falls onto the hip, seat-belt injury in a car accident

Hip shape or mechanics

Leg-length difference, scoliosis, femoro-acetabular impingement

Underlying conditions

Osteoarthritis of the hip or lumbar spine, rheumatoid arthritis

Lifestyle factors

Prolonged standing on hard surfaces, obesity

Key Symptoms

Sharp or burning pain over the outside of the hip
Pain that worsens when lying on the affected side
Discomfort with prolonged walking, climbing stairs or rising from a low chair
Tenderness when pressing over the greater trochanter
Possible swelling or warmth if inflammation is pronounced

Left untreated, symptoms can last months and restrict daily activities or sport.

Diagnosis at The New Foscote Hospital

Consultant examination – gait assessment, palpation of the bursa, strength testing of hip abductors.
Diagnostic ultrasound – visualises bursal swelling and rules out tendon tears.
MRI scan (if needed) – to exclude labral tear or stress fracture.
Diagnostic local-anaesthetic injection – confirms the bursa as the pain source.

Patients receive same-day imaging and a management plan without long NHS waits.

Treatment & Rehabilitation

First-line measures

Relative rest and avoidance of side-lying on the painful hip
Ice packs and short course of NSAIDs (if medically suitable)
Targeted physiotherapy: gluteal strengthening, IT-band stretches, gait re-education
Activity modification: cushioned footwear, softer training surfaces

In-clinic options

Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection to calm acute inflammation
Shock-wave therapy for persistent cases unresponsive to injection
Prescription of a night-time positioner pillow to reduce compression

Surgical intervention is rarely required, but arthroscopic bursectomy can be arranged via our consultant hip surgeons if non-operative care fails.

Rehab timeline

Most patients see meaningful improvement within 6–8 weeks of a structured programme focused on hip stability and trunk control, delivered in our on-site physiotherapy gym.