Viewer Question

I'm interested in learning about the surgical treatment for hip bursitis.

Doctor's Answer:

Hip bursitis is usually very well treated with a simple injections of cortisone like preparations. In reality, hip bursitis is a misnomer, the pain associated with 'hip' bursitis is actually located at the greater trochanter of the femur, which is well to the side of the hip joint (outside portion of the upper thigh). When the injections fail to give relief of the pain we consider other possible causes for the pain, such as lumbar disc herniation.

Surgical treatment consists of an incision 3-4 inches long on the outside portion of the upper thigh, and simply excising the bursal tissue off of the greater trochanteric region. The post-operative course is usually short as recovery is rapid. Activity is begun as tolerated once the incision heals (7-10 days). A scar will be visible at the side of the hip area.

Thank you for your question.