Quick answer: Hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis) is inflammation of the fluid-filled bursa over the bony point on the outer hip, and it causes sharp or aching pain on the side of the hip that is often worse at night, when lying on that side, or when walking and climbing stairs. Most cases improve with non-surgical care, including activity changes, physical therapy, and an image-guided cortisone injection. At Regenerative Joint Clinics in Riverdale, GA, hip bursitis is diagnosed and treated without surgery.
Key takeaways
- Hip bursitis, also called trochanteric bursitis or greater trochanteric pain syndrome, is inflammation of the bursa on the outer point of the hip.
- It is most common in women and in middle-aged and older adults, though anyone can develop it.
- The main symptom is outer-hip pain that can radiate down the outer thigh and flares when lying on that side.
- Most people get better with non-surgical treatment: activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and a targeted cortisone injection.
- Surgery is rarely needed and is only considered when conservative care fails.
What is hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis)?
Bursae are small, jelly-like sacs that sit between bones and soft tissues throughout the body, acting as cushions that reduce friction. Hip bursitis is what happens when the bursa over the greater trochanter, the bony point you can feel on the outer side of your hip, becomes irritated and inflamed. Because the outer-hip pain often involves nearby tendons as well, clinicians frequently group these problems under the broader term greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).
It is a common, non-surgical joint problem that responds well to conservative care in most people. It is different from hip osteoarthritis, which involves the cartilage inside the hip joint itself. Understanding which one is driving your pain matters, because the treatment path is different. If your discomfort sits deep in the groin rather than on the outer hip, it may be worth reading our overview of non-surgical hip pain treatment and how osteoarthritis develops.
What are the symptoms of hip bursitis?
The hallmark of hip bursitis is pain at the outer point of the hip that can spread down the outside of the thigh. In the early stages it is often sharp and intense, and over time it may settle into a deeper ache. Common symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness when you press on the outer point of the hip
- Pain that is worse at night, especially when lying on the affected side
- Discomfort that increases after prolonged sitting, then standing up
- Pain that flares with walking, climbing stairs, squatting, or getting out of a car
- Stiffness or a limp when the hip is irritated
Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, such as hip arthritis, a pinched nerve in the low back, or IT band problems, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward relief. Many people who search for a non-surgical joint pain specialist for outer-hip pain turn out to have trochanteric bursitis.
What causes hip bursitis?
Hip bursitis usually develops from repetitive stress or pressure on the outer hip, though it can also follow a direct injury. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it is more common in women and in middle-aged and older adults. Frequent contributors include:
- Repetitive activity: running, cycling, or prolonged standing that overloads the outer hip
- A tight iliotibial (IT) band rubbing over the greater trochanter
- Gait and posture problems, including spine conditions that change how you walk
- Leg-length differences that unevenly load one hip
- A direct blow or a fall onto the hip, or lying on one side for long periods
- Weak hip and gluteal muscles that fail to stabilize the joint
- Other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, prior hip surgery, or bone spurs near the tendons
Carrying extra body weight can add to the load on the hip, which is why weight management is often part of a long-term plan. Identifying your specific cause helps your clinician tailor treatment rather than simply masking the pain.
How is hip bursitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a physical examination. Your clinician will press over the greater trochanter to check for the pinpoint tenderness that is typical of hip bursitis, and will assess how the hip moves and how you walk. Imaging is used mainly to rule out other causes of outer-hip pain rather than to confirm the bursitis itself.
At Regenerative Joint Clinics, the on-site diagnostic tools include digital X-ray, fluoroscopy (a C-arm), and diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound. Ultrasound is especially useful for looking at the bursa and nearby tendons, and it also allows injections to be guided precisely to the right spot. This combination helps separate true bursitis from hip arthritis, a low-back nerve problem, or a gluteal tendon tear.
What are the non-surgical treatment options for hip bursitis?
Most people improve without surgery. Treatment usually layers several conservative steps, starting with the simplest. The table below summarizes the main options and what each one does.
| Treatment | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Activity modification & rest | Reduces the repetitive stress that irritates the bursa | Early or mild hip bursitis |
| Anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) | Eases pain and calms inflammation | Short-term symptom control |
| Physical therapy | Stretches the IT band and strengthens the hip and gluteal muscles to offload the bursa | Most patients; prevents recurrence |
| Cortisone (corticosteroid) injection | Delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the inflamed bursa for faster relief | Persistent or painful hip bursitis |
| Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) | Uses your own blood platelets to support healing of an irritated gluteal tendon | Chronic cases with tendon involvement (elective) |
| Assistive device & weight management | Reduces load on the hip while it settles | Supportive care during recovery |
Physical therapy is the backbone of lasting relief because it addresses the underlying weakness and tightness that let the bursa get irritated in the first place. A structured physical therapy program, combined with low-impact exercise, gives many people durable results.
How does Regenerative Joint Clinics treat hip bursitis in Riverdale, GA?
Regenerative Joint Clinics treats hip bursitis with a non-surgical, step-by-step plan built around your exam and imaging. For many patients, that plan combines targeted physical therapy with an image-guided cortisone injection when the pain is persistent. Cortisone works quickly to calm inflammation in the bursa and can provide fast, short-term relief; because its effect is temporary and the number of injections into one area is clinically limited, it is used alongside therapy rather than on its own.
When outer-hip pain is driven by a chronically irritated gluteal tendon rather than the bursa alone, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be an option. PRP concentrates the growth factors in your own blood to support the body’s natural repair response. It uses your own blood platelets, not stem cells. If you are weighing your choices, our guide to cortisone versus PRP explains how the two differ. Hip bursitis care at RJC sits within the same non-surgical framework as our Targeted Restoration Protocol, and it shares the same evaluation approach as our knee bursitis treatment.
Most components of hip bursitis care, including the evaluation, imaging, physical therapy, and cortisone injection, are covered by most major medical insurance plans and Medicare. PRP is generally considered elective and is usually not covered, so we review costs with you in advance and offer flexible payment options through Pathways. You can learn more on our insurance page or explore all of our non-surgical joint services. Because hip bursitis is especially common in older adults, we also help patients stay mobile with guidance drawn from our resource on improving mobility for seniors.
When should you see a doctor for hip pain?
See a clinician if outer-hip pain lasts more than a week or two, keeps you up at night, or is interfering with walking and daily activities. Seek prompt care if you have any of the following, which can signal a more serious problem than hip bursitis:
- Sudden, severe hip pain after a fall, or an inability to bear weight
- Fever, warmth, and redness over the hip, which can suggest infection
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels down the leg
- A visible deformity of the hip or leg
An early evaluation helps confirm whether bursitis is the cause and gets you started on the right non-surgical plan before the problem becomes chronic.
Get non-surgical hip bursitis treatment in Riverdale, GA
If outer-hip pain is limiting your life, Regenerative Joint Clinics offers non-surgical evaluation and treatment for trochanteric bursitis at our Riverdale clinic. To schedule an assessment, call (470) 895-0610, email contact@regenerativejointclinics.com, or visit us at 483 Upper Riverdale Road SW, Suite F, Riverdale, GA 30274. You can also contact our team to ask about hip bursitis treatment and insurance coverage. Appointments are required; we do not offer walk-in or virtual visits. For more background on this condition, see the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' overview of hip bursitis and the Cleveland Clinic's guide to trochanteric bursitis.
Frequently asked questions about hip bursitis
How long does hip bursitis take to heal?
Many cases of hip bursitis settle within a few weeks once the irritating activity is reduced and physical therapy begins. More stubborn cases can take a few months, especially when a gluteal tendon is involved. A cortisone injection can speed up relief when pain is persistent. Individual recovery times vary.
Can hip bursitis be treated without surgery?
Yes. The large majority of people with hip bursitis improve with non-surgical care such as activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and a cortisone injection. Surgery is rarely needed and is reserved for chronic cases that do not respond to conservative treatment.
What is the fastest way to relieve hip bursitis pain?
Resting the hip, avoiding the activity that triggers the pain, applying ice, and taking anti-inflammatory medication can ease a flare quickly. For persistent pain, an image-guided cortisone injection often provides the fastest meaningful relief. Pairing that relief with physical therapy helps keep the pain from returning.
Is hip bursitis the same as hip arthritis?
No. Hip bursitis involves inflammation of the bursa on the outer hip and usually causes pain on the side of the hip. Hip arthritis involves the cartilage inside the hip joint and more often causes deep groin pain and stiffness. The two can occur together, which is why a proper evaluation is important.
Does insurance cover hip bursitis treatment?
Most components of hip bursitis treatment, including the evaluation, imaging, physical therapy, and cortisone injection, are covered by most major medical insurance plans and Medicare. PRP therapy is generally elective and usually not covered. Our team verifies your benefits and offers flexible payment options before treatment.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific condition before starting any new treatment.
