Risk factors for hip bursitis
Every individual has several small sac of fluid – bursa - around the hips. The function of these fluid-filled sacs is to prevent friction between the bone and other surrounding structures and enhance smooth movement in the hip joint.
Advertisement
When the small fluid filled sac becomes irritated or inflamed, it is known as Bursitis. The fluid-filled sacs may become injured through a direct impact or blow to the bursa, for example a fall on the hip, or through repetitive friction from the overlying muscles for example as a result of running.
The repeated friction causes the bursa to become inflamed and swollen and each time the surrounding structures rub over the bursa, this causes pain. Another risk factor may be due to the tight structures such as surrounding muscles around the hip joint or excess bone formation or growth around the hip joint.
Hip Bursitis often occurs in individuals who usually walk a lot or in joggers, bikers or active athletes or overweight or elderly individuals.
Risk factors
Several factors may result in Hip Bursitis. These include;
Overuse or repetitive movements
Bursitis is frequently caused by repeating the same movements over a prolonged period of time. Hence, individuals involved in activities like running, cycling, jumping or football often have hip bursitis.
Pressure on the hip joint
Steady pressure on your hip whilst performing your daily activities such as prolonged sitting, standing or lying on one side on hard surfaces may also cause bursitis.
Injury to the hip joint
There are times when hip bursitis occurs after a direct blow to the hip joint, for example a fall onto a hard surface or a car accident. This injury may cause irritations in the sac and cause pain around the hip joint.
Other risk factors include;
• Frequent training on hard or running surface
• Wearing poorly cushioned shoes
• Excessive turning in of the foot. If you usually have your foot roll inwards, then you are more susceptible to this injury.
The position of your foot causes your knee to fall inwards which alters the position of your hip bone in the joint.
• Leg length differences or having one leg shorter than the other.
Symptoms
The individual may experience the following;
• Pain
The individual may experience chronic pain on the outside of the hip. Pain is increased by activity, local pressure over the area, or stretching.
You may still experience pain whenever you walk or run and climbing stairs becomes very painful.
The pain may gradually increase and may be felt on the outside of your thigh. Pain may often worsen at night and can make it difficult to sleep, particularly on the affected side.
• Decreased mobility and Stiffness
Whenever you press on your hip or move your leg inwards or outwards the pain may becomes worse.
You may also realise that there is limitation in the movement in your hip joint hence performing your daily activities become difficult. Your hip joint may also feel stiff.
• Weakness
The individual may also have weakness in the affected leg due to the decreased mobility.
• Numbness
There may be numbness or tingling around the affected hip joint area.
• Snapping and popping sensation
The individual may hear and feel 'snapping' or 'popping' as you try to move your joints.
Diagnosis
A thorough examination of the individual is done in order to make a diagnosis of hip bursitis. The gait of the individual is examined for any abnormalities i.e., how well you walks, whether you are able to lift the leg off the ground easily or limps.
An examination of the lower back bones and knee joints is also conducted. The individual’s range of movement and the strength in the affected leg are also checked.
Further investigations such as an Ultrasound, X-ray, CT or MRI scan are often required to assist with diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition.
The writer is a Senior Physiotherapist at the 37 Military Hospital, (panerius @live.com)