Some kind of stretching can be very helpful for hip bursitis, while other kinds may make it worse. The best advice to always keep in mind is: “Always listen to the body.” If an activity, including what may seem like a simple, easy stretch, causes pain in the hip to worsen, stop doing that activity.
Trochanteric bursitis often occurs due to repetitive microtraumas caused by running or exercising, or from a significant injury like a fall. Usually, treatment for trochanteric bursitis includes pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), stretching and physical therapy.
Your physician or physical therapist will recommend when to start and how often to do your hip bursitis exercises. The general recommendation is to do the stretches 2 to 3 times a day and the exercises 1 to 2 times a day as tolerated. A floor mat can be useful and you will need a cushion or pillow.
Bursitis generally gets better on its own. Conservative measures, such as rest, ice and taking a pain reliever, can relieve discomfort. If conservative measures don't work, you might require: Medication.
Side lying leg raise
If you're using an exercise band, position it just above your knees. Keeping your hips stacked, engage your core and lift your left leg straight up as far as you can. Slowly lower back down. Repeat on other side.
The treatment goal is to reduce compression and relieve pressure on the bursa. In most cases of bursitis, excluding prepatellar bursitis, direct massage or pressure is contraindicated directly over the bursa. Instead, massage therapy will reduce the compression caused by muscle tension above and below the joint.
The most common causes of bursitis are repetitive motions or positions that put pressure on the bursae around a joint. Examples include: Throwing a baseball or lifting something over your head repeatedly. Leaning on your elbows for long periods.
Activities or positions that put pressure on the hip bursa, such as lying down, sitting in one position for a long time, or walking distances can irritate the bursa and cause more pain. It is also important to learn the hip bursitis exercises to avoid making the condition worse.
Since prepatellar bursitis is quite superficial, topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren Gel) can be very effective, with minimal systemic side effects.
Treatment for bursitis usually involves doing strengthening exercises and stretching. This helps prevent muscle atrophy—and can also be used to prevent bursitis, not just treat it. You should avoid activities that cause pain. Ask your doctor about exercises to help build strength in the area.
Avoid High-Impact Activities
Running and jumping can make hip pain from arthritis and bursitis worse, so it's best to avoid them.
When sleeping with shoulder bursitis, you should avoid sleeping on your front or side. Sleeping on your back is best for this condition, though if you simply cannot get to sleep on your back you can try the side-sleeping positions above.
Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce pain and inflammation. NSAIDs come in pills and also in a cream that you rub over the sore area. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can also help with pain.
Pain that doesn't go away
If you continue to have bursitis pain at the hip that has not improved despite extensive treatment, you may have a tear of a muscle located next to the bursa called the gluteus medius. A tear of this muscle can cause significant pain that extends into the buttocks and down the leg.
Try glucosamine or omega-3 fatty acids.
Research has shown that over-the-counter glucosamine supplements may help inflammation in bursitis.
Bursitis is when a joint becomes painful and swollen. It can usually be treated at home and should go away in a few weeks.
Doctors may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce inflammation in the bursa and tendon and relieve pain. These medications are typically recommended for a few weeks while the body heals.
Exercise is often prescribed to improve joint pain, so walking could be a vital part of managing your bursitis symptoms.
Is bursitis curable? Bursitis is usually short-lived, lasting a few hours to a few days. If you don't rest, it can make your recovery longer.
Compression—This is the most effective treatment for olecranon bursitis. Applying an ACE™-type elastic bandage, wrap or compression sleeve from the wrist to the upper arm, 24 hours a day for 2-4 weeks, typically resolves the bursitis and allows the elbow to return to its normal size.
Foods that can trigger inflammation may make your pain worse so these are ones to avoid if you can. This includes processed foods (ready meals, sliced meat), caffeine, fizzy juice, sugars (cakes, biscuits etc.), and alcohol.
Many patients tend to recover from this injury in about six weeks, but others could spend as many as 12 weeks recovering from hip bursitis (DrLucasMD, 2020). One way you may be able to speed up your recovery is with physical therapy.