Hip Bursitis

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editors: Dennis Lee, MD, and Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• What is bursitis?
• What is hip bursitis, and what symptoms does it cause?
• How is hip bursitis diagnosed?
• How is hip bursitis treated?
• Hip Bursitis At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Hip Bursitis - Describe Your Experience

Featured patient discussions on coping with hip bursitis "I am 89 years old, and for the past three weeks, I have been hardly able to function. I have severe pain in my right hip. I went to my primary doctor who just gave me pain medication and sent me to physical therapy. Then I went to a chiropractor, who after two visits, wasn't sure what the problem was. He also took X-rays. Finally, my son made an appointment with a specialist. I went on Thursday. He had me do all kinds of walking and bending and diagnosed me with bursitis in my right hip. He gave me a cortisone shot, which really relieved the pain there, but Friday I started having severe pain in my groin area. I called, but the doctor didn't want to give me anything until he could see me again. He said, if the pain got severe over the weekend, to go to the emergency room. All I can do is sit or lay without pain, when I try to walk, it is excruciating. I am using a four-footed cane." Read all hip bursitis comments » Top Searched Hip Bursitis Terms: bursa, surgery, cortisone shots, treatment, diagnosis Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is bursitis?

A bursa is a closed fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. "Bursae" is the plural form of "bursa." The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. When the bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is known to as "bursitis." Most commonly, this is a noninfectious condition (aseptic bursitis) caused by inflammation resulting from local soft tissue trauma or strain injury. On rare occasions, the hip bursa can become infected with bacteria. This condition is called septic bursitis. Although uncommon, the hip bursa can become inflamed by crystals that deposit there from gout or pseudogout.

What is hip bursitis, and what symptoms does it cause?

There are two major bursae of the hip, inflammation of which can both be associated with stiffness and pain around the hip joint. The trochanteric bursa is located on the side of the hip. It is separated significantly from the actual hip joint by tissue and bone. Trochanteric bursitis frequently causes tenderness of the outer hip, making it difficult for patients to lie on the involved side, frequently making sleep difficult. It also causes a dull, burning pain on the outer hip that is often made worse with excessive walking or stair climbing. The ischial bursa is located in the upper buttock area. Ischial bursitis can cause dull pain in this area that is most noticeable when climbing uphill. The pain sometimes occurs after prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, hence the names "weaver's bottom" and "tailor's bottom."

Bursitis of the hip is the most common cause of hip pain.

Picture of the Anatomy of the Hip

Hip Bursitis - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with hip bursitis.

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 22 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• ibuprofen, Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, etc. - Explains the medication ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Medipren) a drug used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
• Cortisone Injection - Read about cortisone injection treatment for inflammation, allergic reaction, sciatica and arthritis. Learn about side effects and complications of a cortisone shot.
• Bursitis - Learn about bursitis, inflammation of a bursa, and its types, symptoms (joint pain), causes, diagnosis and treatment (surgery) for chronic and septic bursitis.

Read more Hip Bursitis related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Health Tip: What's Behind Hip Bursitis?