Hip Pain & Bursitis

Overview

Hip pain is a broad term encompassing conditions that affect the hip joint itself, the surrounding bursae, tendons, ligaments, and the sacroiliac joint. Greater trochanteric bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sac on the outer hip — is one of the most common causes of lateral hip pain, particularly in active adults and older patients. Hip pain can also stem from osteoarthritis, labral tears, or referred pain from the lumbar spine.

Common Symptoms

•Pain on the outer hip, thigh, or buttock

•Tenderness when pressing on the side of the hip

•Pain that worsens when lying on the affected side at night

•Stiffness and reduced hip range of motion

•Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a seated position

•Groin pain that may indicate intra-articular hip joint pathology

Common Causes

•Trochanteric bursitis from repetitive friction on the outer hip

•Hip osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration

•Iliotibial (IT) band tightness or snapping hip syndrome

•Hip labral tears from trauma or repetitive hip flexion

•Sacroiliac joint dysfunction causing referred buttock and hip pain

•Hip flexor tendinitis from prolonged sitting or overuse

Who May Benefit from Treatment

Patients experiencing lateral hip pain, groin pain, buttock pain, or difficulty walking and sleeping due to hip discomfort — regardless of whether the underlying cause is bursitis, arthritis, or SI joint dysfunction — will benefit from Echo PMR's targeted diagnostic and treatment approach.

Treatment Options at Echo PMR

•Trochanteric bursa injections for direct relief of greater trochanteric bursitis

•Intra-articular hip joint injections to address hip osteoarthritis and labral irritation

•SI joint injections for sacroiliac joint-related hip and buttock pain

•Ilioinguinal or lateral femoral cutaneous nerve blocks for hip and groin pain

•Trigger point injections for hip flexor and gluteal muscle pain

•Physical therapy focusing on hip strengthening, flexibility, and gait mechanics

Recovery Expectations

Many patients with hip bursitis or early-to-moderate hip arthritis experience substantial pain relief from one to three injection treatments, often within days. A supervised physical therapy program following injections is critical for long-term stability and symptom prevention. Echo PMR's team will monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as your condition evolves.

When to Seek Care

If hip pain is disrupting your sleep, limiting your ability to walk comfortably, or has persisted for more than a few weeks without improvement, reach out to Echo PMR for an evaluation. Identifying the precise source of hip pain early — whether bursitis, joint disease, or referred spinal pain — leads to far more effective and efficient treatment.