Trochanteric Bursitis Physiotherapy in Indirapuram

Why the outer hip hurts

The gluteus medius and minimus tendons wrap around the greater trochanter. They get compressed when you lie on that side, stand with your weight shifted onto one hip, or cross your legs. That compression, combined with weakness of the same muscles, irritates the tendons. The bursa, a small fluid sac nearby, may also become irritated.

It's most common in women aged 40 to 60. Menopause, weight gain and changes in activity often coincide with its onset.

Symptoms

Pain lying on the affected side, often waking people at night. Pain lying on the other side too, as the top leg drops across. Discomfort climbing stairs, walking up hills, standing on one leg and getting up from a chair.

Treatment

Reducing compression is the first step. Sleep with a pillow between your knees. Avoid crossing your legs and hanging on one hip while standing. Break up sitting in low chairs.

A progressive tendon loading programme for the hip abductor muscles is the core of treatment. Research has shown that education plus exercise outperforms steroid injection at longer follow-up. Shockwave therapy has good support for this condition too.

Stretching the outer hip, often recommended online, can actually increase compression on the tendons and make things worse.

Exercises often used for Trochanteric Bursitis

These are exercises our physiotherapists commonly include. Which ones suit you, how many and in what order depends on your assessment and stage of recovery.

All hip exercises

Frequently asked questions