Have you caught Strictly Fever? Our latest instalment of ‘Ask The Physiotherapy Partners’ is about a hip pain common for dancers.

Q: I have pain over the side of my hip.

A: A likely cause of this hip pain is inflammation of the Trochanteric Bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which lies over your femur, the bone on the side of your hip. Cases can vary depending on the individual injury and the severity of the inflammation.

Trochanteric bursitis can be caused by a group of muscles or tendons rubbing over the area and causing friction against your thigh bone. In terms of dancing, or other sporting activities, the injury is usually due to a traumatic fall, overuse or having poor muscles control and technique. It can be common in cycling, especially when your bicycle seat is too high. However, in some cases no specific cause is found.

There are many symptoms to be aware of, such as pain and swelling over the side of your hip, pain when climbing stairs and pain when sleeping on your side. Increased pain when walking, cycling or standing for long periods can also be a symptom. Trochanteric bursitis can be diagnosed by your physiotherapist after a thorough examination of your hip, pelvis and back.

Once the injury has been diagnosed your dedicated physiotherapist will work with you during your rehabilitation program with hands on treatment. Every patient is different and recovery time will be tailored to the individual and the severity of their trochanteric bursitis. The first stage of recovery involves managing your pain and the inflammation. This may be via ice therapy or exercises that deload the inflamed structure. It is essential to manage your pain to effectively move forward with your treatment. The next stage of recovery is about restoring your normal range of motion to your hip joint and strengthen the muscle. The final stage is therefore to return you back to your sport or normal everyday activities. With every patient having different demands on their hips, full recovery depends on the individual and will be tailored by The Physiotherapy Partners to meet your needs.  

It is important to seek professional physiotherapy treatment if you are suffering from a trochanteric bursitis as it has the tendency to return and your physiotherapist can recommend a number of exercises to prevent recurrence.

If you believe you are suffering from trochanteric bursitis or any other sporting injuries please find our contact information here and give The Physiotherapy Partners a call to arrange an appointment. Don’t forget to email us your physiotherapy questions at ask@thephysiotherapypartners.co.uk and your question could feature in next month’s instalment!   

Photo credit:Barry Goyette via Wikimedia cc