In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about hip bursitis and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Explore the best hip bursitis exercises and the most effective ways to prevent it from returning. We cover stretching and strengthening routines to relieve pain and improve hip mobility, plus essential exercise precautions to avoid aggravating your condition. By following these guidelines, you can create a balanced routine that promotes healing and enhances overall hip function.
What is Hip Bursitis?
Hip bursitis (also called trochanteric bursitis or greater trochanteric pain syndrome) is a common cause of lateral hip pain. It involves inflammation of the bursa—small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the gluteal tendons and allow smooth movement. The trochanteric bursa, located on the outer hip, is especially prone to inflammation due to its proximity to large tendons and the iliotibial band.
Hip bursitis is often caused by repetitive microtrauma (e.g., running, overuse), tendinopathy, or soft tissue disorders. Diagnosis is based on history, physical exam, and sometimes imaging to rule out other causes.1
What Causes Hip Bursitis?
The most common causes are blunt trauma, repetitive microtrauma from physical activity, and overuse of the hip muscles. Elderly individuals are at higher risk due to falls, while athletes may develop bursitis from repetitive hip abduction (e.g., climbing stairs, cycling).2
How is Hip Bursitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on symptoms (unilateral lateral hip pain, back pain, limited range of motion), history, and physical exam. Pain is often localized to the greater trochanter. Imaging (X-ray) may be used to rule out other causes.3
Treatment of Hip Bursitis
Most cases are managed conservatively, but surgery may be considered if symptoms persist.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help control inflammation and pain. Always check for contraindications before use.
Steroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections deliver targeted relief to the inflamed bursa, sometimes combined with local anesthetics for better pain control.4
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use your own blood to promote healing. Some studies show improvement at 3 and 12 months, but PRP is not the gold standard for hip bursitis.5 6
Orthotics
Custom foot orthotics can improve outcomes, especially when compared to corticosteroid injections in some studies.7
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a mainstay of treatment. Therapists recommend stretching and strengthening exercises (e.g., IT band, quadriceps, hip abduction) to support the gluteal muscles and improve hip function.8 9
Prolotherapy for Hip Bursitis
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat hip bursitis.10
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This stimulates the production of collagen cells, which are essential for repairing the damage and helping hip bursitis.
As prolotherapy treats the root cause of hip bursitis, it is considered a long-term solution, preventing symptoms from returning.
Recommended Hip Bursitis Exercises
Rotator Hip Stretches
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat. Cross the ankle of the affected leg over the opposite knee. Gently push the knee away from your body until you feel a stretch. Hold for 15–30 seconds, repeat 2–4 times.
Stretching of Iliotibial Band
Stand sideways against a wall with the affected hip closest to the wall. Cross the other leg in front, let the affected hip drop toward the wall, and lean away until you feel a stretch. Hold for 15–30 seconds, repeat 2–4 times.
Outwards Straight-Leg Raises
Lie on your side with the affected hip on top. Tighten the top leg muscles, keep the knee straight, and raise the leg 30cm off the floor. Hold for 6 seconds, repeat 8 times.
Clamshell
Lie on your side with the affected hip on top, knees bent, and feet together. Keeping your feet touching, lift your top knee as high as you can without moving your pelvis (like opening a clamshell). Hold for 6 seconds, then lower and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat for 8–10 repetitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to heal bursitis of the hip?
Icing the affected area for the first two days and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help control inflammation and speed up recovery. Rest and gentle stretching are also important.
Is walking good for bursitis of the hip?
Yes, walking is generally safe and beneficial for hip bursitis, as long as it does not cause pain. Avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping until symptoms improve.
Does bursitis of the hip ever go away?
Most cases resolve within 6–12 weeks with proper treatment. Chronic or untreated bursitis can lead to thickening of the bursa and persistent symptoms.
What activities make hip bursitis worse?
Prolonged sitting, lying on the affected side, and overuse of the hip muscles (as in athletes or heavy labor) can worsen symptoms.
How should I sleep with hip bursitis?
Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to maintain alignment, or on your back with a supportive mattress. Avoid uneven or lumpy surfaces.
What can be mistaken for bursitis?
Hip fractures, femoral neck fractures, hamstring avulsion, muscle sprain, and snapping hip syndrome can mimic bursitis symptoms. Proper diagnosis is essential.
Case Study: Prolotherapy for Hip Bursitis
Case: A 55-year-old office worker with chronic hip bursitis unresponsive to NSAIDs and physical therapy underwent three sessions of Prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic. The patient reported a 70% reduction in pain and improved mobility within two months, highlighting the potential of regenerative treatments for persistent hip bursitis.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let hip bursitis control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
Phone: +44 1234 380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Our Clinic Locations
London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating hip bursitis, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with hip bursitis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile: Oliver Eaton
References
- Seidman AJ, Varacallo M. Trochanteric Bursitis. [Updated 2022 Feb 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538503/
- Pumarejo Gomez L, Childress JM. Greater Trochanteric Syndrome. [Updated 2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557433/
- Speers CJ, Bhogal GS. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2017;67(663):479-480. doi:10.3399/bjgp17X693041
- Mellor, R., Bennell, K., Grimaldi, A., et al. (2018). Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach on global outcome and pain from gluteal tendinopathy: prospective, single blinded, randomised clinical trial. Br J Sports Med, 52(22), 1464–1472. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-k1662rep
- Mathew, J., Sankar, P., & Varacallo, M. (2021). Physiology, Blood Plasma. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Ali, M., Oderuth, E., Atchia, I., & Malviya, A. (2018). The use of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a systematic literature review. J Hip Preserv Surg, 5(3), 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhps/hny027
- Ferrari, R. “A cohort-controlled trial of customized foot orthotics in trochanteric bursitis.” J Prosthet Orthot 24.3 (2012): 107-110.
- Ganderton, C., Semciw, A., Cook, J., Moreira, E., & Pizzari, T. (2018). Gluteal Loading Versus Sham Exercises to Improve Pain and Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Womens Health (Larchmt), 27(6), 815–829. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2017.6729
- Attum, B., & Varacallo, M. (2021). Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Thigh Muscles. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Hauser RA, et al. A Systematic Review of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2016;9:139-159.