Trochanteric Bursa Injection: Specialists in Trochanteric Bursitis

Specialists in Trochanteric Bursa Injection 

I am Dr Miguel Alfonso Porcar, Director of the Regenerat Traumatology Clinic and specialist in the treatment of trochanteric bursitis using bioregenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma and growth factors.

Only when the most conservative methods and PRP injections have not achieved the desired result do we consider surgical intervention for trochanteric bursitis.

At the Regenerat Traumatology Clinic, we specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of trochanteric bursitis.

Our goal is to determine the cause of your trochanteric bursitis, perform appropriate diagnostic tests, and apply conservative, regenerative, or surgical treatments to alleviate your hip pain so that you can regain your well-being as soon as possible.

We are committed to helping our patients by using the safest, most effective, least invasive, and most cost-effective treatments available!

What is trochanteric bursitis?

The hip joints provide strength and flexibility in walking, running and jumping.

However, hip joints can cause pain from overuse or overexertion.

One of the most common causes of hip pain is inflammation of the lateral part or near the greater trochanter.

Hip bursitis is inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which provide cushioning between the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) and the hip bones.

Most commonly, bursitis causes pain in the hip joint, extending to the outside of the thigh area.

Bursitis on the outer (lateral) side of the hip is called greater trochanteric bursitis or trochanteritis.

It occurs when the bursa on the outside of the hip becomes damaged, irritated or inflamed.

What is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a common condition characterised by pain in the lateral hip region, often associated with tenderness over the greater trochanter, the bony prominence of the femur.

This syndrome typically manifests as chronic pain that may radiate down the outer thigh and into the buttock, and it can be aggravated by activities such as climbing stairs, prolonged sitting, or lying on the affected side.

Causes of trochanteric bursitis

This condition is mainly caused by an overuse injury to the outer tendons of the hip.

Certain positions, movements or diseases can cause friction or strain on the greater trochanter bursa and lead to trochanteritis. When the bursa is injured, the muscles and tendons do not glide smoothly, which can cause pain.

Other causes of trochanteritis:

• Muscle tears: a hip strain, which occurs when a muscle tears or pulls beyond its limit around the hip joint, can lead to inflammation and irritation of the bursae of the greater trochanter.
• Direct trauma (blows or falls on the side of the hip), a muscle or tendon tear.
• Activities that overload or injure the joint areas such as running up stairs, prolonged standing, cycling…, can put excessive stress on the joints. This can lead to hip injury and trochanteric bursitis.
• Complications of hip surgery: previous surgeries or complications with surgeries can cause bursitis by irritating the bursa.
• Poor posture: Incorrect posture leading to scoliosis and other conditions can lead to this type of hip pain.
• Certain diseases or conditions: gout, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid diseases, spinal diseases, and even unusual reactions to medications or infections can cause trochanteric bursitis.
• Calcium deposits: This can irritate the bursa and cause inflammation if this calcium deposit is located within the tendons connected to the trochanter muscles.
• Weakness of the hip muscles is an essential factor. Buttock pain is twice as likely in women, with a higher rate in older women.

An irritated and inflamed bursa causes pain that can limit range of motion and make some activities or positions uncomfortable.

Symptoms of trochanteric bursitis

Pain on the outside of the hip is usually the first thing you notice.

The pain is worsened by lying directly on the hip, going up and down stairs, and prolonged walking and running.

It may also hurt when crossing the legs. In addition, the outside of the hip is tender to the touch, and pain occurs when moving the leg outward.

Occasionally, people with buttock pain may have significant night pain.

Causes of Hip Pain Treatable by a Hip Specialist

The primary cause of acute hip pain is often a fracture of the femoral neck.

Hip fractures are particularly common in the elderly population due to underlying conditions such as osteopenia and/or osteoporosis

Other causes and treatments for hip pain:

• Gluteal tendinopathy injections: For overuse injury of the hip tendons that are activated when we walk, stand and transfer weight from one leg to the other during walking.
• Hip bursitis injection treatment: A procedure to address inflammation of one or more bursae in the hip. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located between bones and soft tissues, such as tendons or muscles, that act as cushions to reduce friction.
• Trochanteric bursa injection: A treatment for inflammation of the bursa that cushions the greater trochanter bone of the hip. This condition typically causes pain in the lateral region of the hip
• Hip injection for osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is more common in the elderly. In this condition, the cartilage within the joint gradually wears away, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and restricted movement in the affected area.
• Bone marrow edema hip: A condition characterized by increased interstitial fluid within the bone marrow, typically in the femur. It can result from inflammation or injury in the medullary area (inside the bone) of the hip, often due to trauma, overuse, or underlying conditions