Hip pain can mimic a lot of conditions. Sometimes you may think that it’s the ligaments, muscles, tendons, or the bones. What’s more, hip bursitis may have similar symptoms to other conditions like arthritis.
In this detailed article, find out more about hip bursitis. What causes it? What symptoms should be looked out for? Why do you need to visit a hip pain chiropractor in Newnan, GA for bursitis treatment?
All these questions and more will be answered.
What is Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sac in the hip joint gets irritated, inflamed, or swollen. This sac reduces friction between bones. The bursae cushion the ligaments, muscles, and hip tendons and moves them smoothly over bones in the joint.
At the hip, the Trochanteric bursa is likely to become inflamed. The inflammation of the Trochanteric bursa also occurs alongside the tendonitis inflammation. These two bursae are found on the bony knob, which is near the femur trochanter. Bursitis shares certain symptoms with osteoarthritis and other conditions, that’s why you need to visit your doctor for a diagnosis.
Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
Note that the symptoms of hip bursitis may differ based on the bursa causing the pain. However, common symptoms include:
- Tenderness and pain that increases when pressure is put on the affected hip
- Hip pain on the outside of the lower hip
- A burning sensation
- Swelling and stiffness of the hip joint
You may find hip bursitis more intense when you are walking or sitting for an extended period. The pain may worsen at night when you are lying down on the hip. Furthermore, the pain may move down to your upper leg and the joint may get too stiff if left untreated. In severe cases, the joint turns red and you may have a fever. At this point, you need to visit a doctor.
Hip Bursitis as a Result of a Car Accident
A traffic collision can play all sorts of havoc on a persons body. Unfortunately, it can be especially painful in regards to a persons hip. In some cases it may push the hips out of alignment, thus making it more difficult to walk. However, in some cases it can inflame the bursae in the hip causing a person to develop bursitis. After a car accident, it is imperative that you visit a a health care professional as soon as possible.
If you are not in immediate life threatening danger, a visit to your chiropractor may help relieve any hip related pain you are experiencing. A skilled chiropractor, like those at Arrowhead Clinic Newnan, has many resources for diagnosing your pain. These range from hands on examination to x-rays. An accurate diagnosis can help your chiropractor create an effective treatment plan.
If you have hip pain after a car accident, contact us. Call and schedule a free consultation.
Other Causes of Hip Bursitis?
Bursa sacs are found at major joints like your shoulder, elbow, and knee. These sacs have a thick fluid that cushions the body parts from friction.
An injury or overuse of the hip is likely to cause Trochanteric bursa.
If you are active in cycling, running, or walking, you may also be susceptible to hip bursitis. Other causes may include:
- A bacterial infection like a staph infection
- Bone growths on top of normal bone on the hip
- Excessive stress on the hip
- Pseudogout
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Spine problems
- Diabetes
- Uneven leg lengths
- Muscle tears
- Poor posture
- Hip surgery complications
- Excess weight
Diagnosing Hip Bursitis
Before the doctor can ascertain that you have hip bursitis, they will carry out some tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
A physical exam may be carried out where the doctor will ask you to move the leg out and in across the body’s midline. A patient interview is necessary. Here you may be asked questions about how long you’ve had the condition and what movements cause hip pain. The doctor may also request an MRI or an ultrasound test if your hip doesn’t respond to treatment.
In extreme cases where the doctor may suspect infection of the bursa, they may recommend an aspiration. The process involves the removal of the fluid from the bursa with a needle and syringe.
Aspiration is done through the help of medical imaging to make sure the needle is placed onto the affected hip bursa.
Treatment for Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis heals when you avoid the activity that caused it. Nonetheless, in severe cases, you may need to seek treatment. Remember that the main bursitis treatment goal is to decrease the inflammation.
Some of the treatment options include:
NSAIDs or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs like Celebrex or ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation and swelling. That relieves any pain caused by bursitis. However, frequent use of these drugs can cause kidney and heart problems, that's why doctors do not recommend taking this medication for an extended time.
Rest and Reduction of Activity
When your hip pain is from overstressing the hip joint, the doctor may recommend rest and activity modification. You’ll need to avoid activities that inflame and aggravate the bursa, like standing for long periods of time or extreme sports.
Chiropractic Care for Bursitis
Conventional medicine may sometimes fail to address the biomechanics to the hip joint. That’s where a chiropractor comes in. The right chiropractic adjustments can treat Trochanteric bursitis.
Chiropractic treatment seeks to:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Decrease the risk of re-occurrence of bursitis
- Improve biomechanics of soft connective tissues and readjust structural balance optimally
- Ensure the existing condition isn’t aggravated
- Promote natural healing while addressing the underlying cause of the condition.
The chiropractor gives you a thorough examination and asks you about your symptoms and what activities lead to the pain. They may need to carry out other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
A hip pain chiropractor in Newnan, GA will use hands-on treatment and make stretches to restore the full hip range of motion. That improves strength and coordination in the hip muscles, which allows the femur to get into the socket and reduce friction on the bursa.
Your Newnan chiropractor may use other techniques like electric stimulation, massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, therapeutic taping, or may even recommend a change of diet. You may need up to six weeks of chiropractic treatments before full function and motion can return.
Remember that the recovery time will depend on your age, the severity of bursitis, and other health conditions. With time, you’ll begin to experience a better range of motion in the spine and joints.
Final Thoughts and An I
Hip bursitis can be stressful and interrupt your daily routine as it not only causes pain, but it may also lead to swelling and tenderness in the joints and tendons. A chiropractor offers a non-invasive and safe way to relieve the pain and swelling.
Seeking bursitis treatment from an experienced chiropractor also helps to improve the flexibility of joints, improve coordination, decrease joint inflammation, and relieve any discomfort. Moreover, you’ll receive guidance on how to prevent a recurrence of bursitis in the future.
Get started with your chiropractic hip pain relief journey with Arrowhead Clinic today.
Call (770) 637-5678 now to schedule your appointment.
