Understanding Hip Bursitis
Your hip is a very flexible part of your body; however, this means it’s more prone to being injured from the myriad ways it can be used. One of the common hip injuries that people experience is hip bursitis.
Hip bursitis is the situation where the bursae in the hip become inflamed or swollen. Bursae are small sacs that are typically filled with a jelly-like substance. They exist between bones and tissues as a type of cushion, and they are meant to prevent friction in these areas. However, sometimes, the bursae become irritated, which can cause pain and a hip bursitis diagnosis by a doctor.
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Symptoms
When it comes to hip bursitis, the most common symptom you will come across is pain. You will feel pain in the part of the hip where the injured/inflamed bursae exist. You may also find that this pain will extend from the hip area to the thigh, as well. Even if the pain changes from sharp and stabbing to something that is more in line with an ache, the bursae may still be inflamed.
You may find that these symptoms worsen over time, especially in situations where you’re putting a lot of strain on your hips, such as sitting for a while, getting up from a chair, walking, squatting, or running.
Causes and Risk Factors
Hip bursitis is one of those ailments that can affect anyone at any time (age, gender, location, etc.). Having said that, if you are middle-aged, elderly, or a woman, you are genetically more likely to end up with hip bursitis as you age. If you perform a job that makes consistent use of the area, such as biking, standing, climbing, or running, it’s much easier for the bursae to become inflamed. Other factors include being subject to a hip injury, spine disease, a walking imbalance, bone spurs, and even arthritis.
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Treatment and Prevention
In most situations, preventing the problem before it can become a problem is the best way to handle it, if possible. It’s not guaranteed that changing up your activities will prevent hip bursitis, but it can lower the risk. Additionally, losing weight, stopping the repetitive activity that puts strain on the hip, getting proper supportive shoes, and stretching to increase your flexibility are all tactics that can help.
Many people who have experienced hip bursitis have also recovered easily by changing up the activities they perform (that are causing the issue), taking anti-inflammatories, and picking up physical therapy. However, as with all things, there are different treatments for those suffering from more severe forms of hip bursitis – corticosteroid shots and surgery are possible treatments. Orthopedic surgery is typically only employed if the hip bursitis is not responsive to all other non-surgical alternatives.
Takeaway
Hip bursitis is a leading cause of pain in many people around the world, but fortunately it’s a pain that can be addressed with the help of a medical professional and there are treatment options available. Our orthopedic doctors have experience treating patients with all sorts of hip pain, including hip bursitis, and are available for consultation in either Jersey City or Hoboken. Contact us today.
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