How to Treat Hip Bursitis
People have bursae, small sacs that are filled with fluid, around their joints to act as buffers between their bones and nearby muscles. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae that usually occurs in your hips, shoulders or elbows. Hip bursitis can make walking, going up and down stairs and even sleeping very painful. Reducing the inflammation in your hip bursae is the goal when it comes to treatment.
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Things You'll Need
- Ice packs Pain relievers Antibiotics Heating pad Sturdy shoes Physical therapist
Instructions
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Take pressure off of the hip that is affected by bursitis. Rest on your back or your unaffected side, especially when you sleep. Avoid climbing stairs as much as possible during the healing process.
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Apply ice to your hip three to four times a day, for 20 minutes each time. The ice helps reduce inflammation and also provides a measure of pain relief.
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Treat bursitis pain with over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If these medications do not take the edge off your pain, ask your doctor about taking a stronger medicine. Corticosteroid injections that are delivered right to the hip bursa are an option for severe cases.
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Treat bursitis that has become infected with antibiotics. Your doctor will test you for infection if your hip does not respond to icing and pain relievers alone.
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Relieve joint pain with a heating pad. Heat should only be applied to your hip once inflammation has receded and the joint is no longer warm to the touch. Keep the heating pad on the low setting and use it for 20 minutes at a time to avoid burning yourself.
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Lose weight if you are overweight and experience episodes of hip bursitis. Extra weight puts more pressure on your joints and can heighten your pain. Discuss weight-loss strategies with your doctor.
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Wear sturdy shoes or sneakers with a high level of support when you have hip bursitis. Good shoes will help you distribute your weight evenly when you walk.
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Attend physical therapy sessions to learn how to stretch effectively and regain normal range of motion once your bursitis has healed. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) provider directory can help you find a local therapist.
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