Trochanteric Bursitis
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What You Should Know About Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac located just over the greater trochanter, a bony projection of the femur (hip). Like tennis elbow, this type of inflammation is due to irritation and is not due to infection.
Symptoms
Patients typically complain of hip pain, although the hip joint itself is not involved. The pain may radiate down the side of the thigh to about the knee. Patients may report pain and difficulty when lying down on the affected side.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis is typically made by physical examination. The physician may order imaging studies such as Xrays or MRI's to rule out other potential causes of the hip pain.
Treatment
Most patients with trochanteric bursitis respond very well to a combination of local corticosteroid injection, physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIADs), and activity restriction.
