What Is Bursitis of the Hip?

Hip bursitis is an often-painful inflammatory condition. It is a condition that occurs when the bursa, which acts as a buffer between the muscles and tendons in a body and the hip bones, becomes inflamed.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of hip bursitis is pain or tenderness in one or both sides of the hips, which may cause the patient to have trouble sleeping, especially when lying on the affected side.

Causes

Hip bursitis is most often caused by repetitive or physically strenuous activity, especially exercises that place strain on the hips. These may include walking, running, hiking or tennis.

Basic Treatment

If the hip bursitis is uninfected, it may be treated in a similar manner to other joint problems with ice, rest and anti-inflammatory medication.

Professional Treatment

If your hip bursitis has caused an infection, or if you believe an infection is present, a doctor should be seen. Antibiotics may need to be administered by a medical professional.

Diagnosis

Hip bursitis is diagnosed based on the specific area of hip pain and tenderness as determined by a medical professional. Medical professionals can confirm hip bursitis by injecting an anesthetic at the inflamed area, and observing whether pain is relieved.