Hip Bursitis: What’s Causing That Pain on the Outside of Your Hip?
In this article:
Your hips work hard every day. They support your body’s weight and help you sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs. So when hip pain shows up, it can slow you down fast.
One common cause is bursitis. The good news? It’s often easy to treat, and a few simple habits can help prevent it. Dr. Iridi Pavliqoti, a sports medicine physician with CMC Orthopaedics, explains what to know.
Hip pain slowing you down? CMC Orthopaedics offers expert, non-surgical care in Conway, Aynor, and Socastee, with walk-in hours in Socastee. Call 843-347-8041 or request an appointment.
What Is Hip Bursitis?
“Inside each hip, there are two bursa sacs that are like cushions filled with fluid,” says Dr. Pavliqoti. “They keep your joints lubricated and protected as they move. The bursa on the outside of the hip is most likely to become inflamed. When this happens, it’s called bursitis.”
Hip bursitis is most common in older adults. However, younger, active people can get it, too.
The main symptom is pain on the outside of the leg. You may feel it in your hip, thigh, or buttock.
What Causes It?
“Typically, the root of bursitis is repetitive motion, causing friction in the bursa and causing it to become inflamed,” Dr. Pavliqoti explains.
Common triggers include:
- Repetitive activity: Running, biking, and even regular walking, especially on hills
- Uneven legs: Most people have small differences in leg length, which can irritate the hip over time
- Other injuries: Back, knee, or foot pain can cause you to favor one leg
- Arthritis: Shifting your stance to avoid arthritis pain can put extra pressure on one hip
We’re Here for You!
A Better Life is a Click Away.
5 Tips to Prevent Flare-Ups
Prevention is key. Dr. Pavliqoti recommends these simple steps to keep your hips healthy.
1. Build Strength and Flexibility
“Weakness in your glutes, legs, knees, and ankles can lead to hip problems,” Dr. Pavliqoti says. “I always recommend leg strengthening exercises to patients.”
Your workout doesn’t have to be intense. In fact, yoga and Pilates are great low-impact options. They build strength in your core and legs while also improving balance and flexibility.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
“Extra weight causes stress on your hips and knees, and even the smallest bit of weight loss can make a big difference in the pain you feel,” Dr. Pavliqoti says.
To help reach your goals:
- Make healthy changes to your diet.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Skip sugary drinks and sodas, even diet ones.
- Choose healthier snacks.
- Get plenty of sleep.
3. Choose Supportive Shoes
Your shoes affect your posture and the pressure on your hips. “Unsupportive, uncomfortable shoes or shoes that don’t fit properly can put extra stress and strain on your joints,” Dr. Pavliqoti explains.
If one leg is longer than the other, shoe inserts can help even out your step. For other foot concerns, a podiatrist can help you find the right support.
4. Ease Into New Activities
Starting a new sport, running, or biking? Start slowly and build up over time.
“Give your body time and grace to adapt,” Dr. Pavliqoti says. “If you don’t take your time, that’s when you’ll hurt yourself.”
5. Listen to Your Body
Playing through the pain can backfire. “It’s okay to feel some stress in your body, but you should never feel sharp pain, tearing, or crunching sensations,” Dr. Pavliqoti cautions. “If something doesn’t feel right, back off or stop what you’re doing.”
When to See a Specialist
If hip pain lingers or gets in the way of daily life, it’s time to get checked. Hip bursitis is common and usually easy to treat. Still, other hip problems, like labral tears, impingement, and stress fractures, can be more serious.
Dr. Pavliqoti is a dual board-certified primary care sports medicine physician. He specializes in ultrasound-guided procedures and other non-surgical treatments that help patients get back to pain-free movement.
Three Convenient Locations
Getting expert care for hip pain is easy, with CMC Orthopaedics offices across Horry County:
- CMC Orthopaedics – Conway: 2376 Cypress Circle, Suite 300, Conway
- CMC Orthopaedics – Aynor: 1213 Elm Street, Aynor
- CMC Orthopaedics – Socastee: 6010 Highway 707, Myrtle Beach, with walk-in hours available
Dr. Pavliqoti sees patients in Conway and Aynor. These offices and our Socastee location welcome walk-ins, so you can get care without waiting for an appointment.
Ready to get back to pain-free movement? Visit CMC Orthopaedics in Conway, Aynor, or Socastee, or walk in to our Socastee office. Call 843-347-8041 or request an appointment today.
Hip pain doesn’t have to keep you from the activities you enjoy. With a few healthy habits, you can protect your hips and lower your risk of bursitis. And if pain does strike, Dr. Pavliqoti and the team at CMC Orthopaedics are close by and ready to help you move comfortably again.
Key Takeaways
- Hip bursitis is inflammation of a fluid-filled cushion on the outside of the hip.
- It often causes pain in the outer hip, thigh, or buttock.
- Repetitive motion, uneven legs, other injuries, and arthritis can all trigger it.
- Strength training, a healthy weight, supportive shoes, and easing into new activities can help prevent flare-ups.
- Never play through sharp pain. Back off and listen to your body.
- See a specialist if hip pain lingers, since some hip problems are more serious.
- CMC Orthopaedics offers care in Conway, Aynor, and Socastee, with walk-in hours in Socastee.
All content of this article is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based on any content of this article.
Sources
-
Cleveland Clinic, “Trochanteric Bursitis,” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4964-trochanteric-bursitis
