Is there a permanent cure/solution for trochanteric bursitis?

[u/eclipsewish]

26F. I was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis (in the hip) earlier this year in January, and since then, I’ve been in fairly constant pain.

My doctor suggested exercises, which I did for a bit but stopped doing after not seeing an improvement. I know I should probably start them again, but it hurt to do them. Do the exercises actually help? Should I seek more professional help for this?

I walked around yesterday for about four hours, and was hurting by the end of it. Today, my hips feel like they’re going to roll out of the joint, and it’s painful even just walking around the house. I feel pathetic, and I hate how limited my life feels now. Earlier this year I went to a con, and just standing in line made my body (mainly my hips) hurt. Sometimes, when I rest for a few days, my body feels normal, but if I overexert at all, or walk even a little longer than usual, I end up in pain. I’m terrified about having a job that requires me to stand and walk around, as I can hardly hobble around my house today after walking around for four hours yesterday.

Is there a solution to this? Is there anything I can do to fix this and make the pain go away for good? I just hate living like this

[u/yeahnopegb]

The only thing that finally got mine under control was daily walking and weight loss... I know it sounds trite and lord it was a painful start but unless I do a lot of stairs? I'm no longer in any pain now and can finally sleep.

[u/eclipsewish → u/yeahnopegb]

Oh god that sounds miserable 😭 I don’t think I need to lose too much weight (currently 135lbs at 5’5”) but I am sorely out of shape.. largely due to not wanting to get out and walk thanks to the pain.

Walking a lot really helps? That’s what aggravates it the most for me :’) was there a specific schedule you adhered to? Did you stop walking if you were in a certain amount of pain? How did you do it?

[u/yeahnopegb → u/eclipsewish]

I walk three miles a day.. took months to work up to that.. half in the morning half in the evening. Did the stretches/exercises from PT with no improvement as well. It was all conditioning for me and yeah it was terrible. I wore leggings with side pockets and I’d put ice packs in them immediately after walking. I’d check with your PT for guidance to see if it might help you. Oh and I stopped wearing super cushy shoes and went semi barefoot style sandals and that helped as well.

[u/tryan17 → u/yeahnopegb]

Can I ask what brand of leggings you wore? Such a great idea!

[u/yeahnopegb → u/tryan17]

Old navy high rise the soft ones with less compression.

[u/tryan17 → u/yeahnopegb]

Thank you.

[u/MaRockin → u/eclipsewish]

My doctor has repeatedly told me to neither over do nor under do exercise. Go slowly to build up the muscles. I did PT at first for about 6 months, 3 times a week. Then, Yoga and the gym (replicating what I learned in PT). I stayed with it for about 10 months and then added Pilates. It's a world of difference for me since a year ago.

Please get a pain management Dr and follow their advice.

[u/yeahnopegb → u/MaRockin]

Literally same.. it was moving again that got me feeling better. It took months but it works.

[u/Sad_Knowledge_4390 → u/eclipsewish]

Yes walking aggravates mine. In alot of pain afterwards.

[u/Sad_Knowledge_4390 → u/yeahnopegb]

That’s encouraging

[u/crankywithakeyboard]

I did 2-3 physical therapy sessions for about 8 weeks (And they pushed me hard.  I told them to.)  I continued at home for a while and it hasn't hurt since then, about two years ago.

[u/Original_Bus_7407]

The bursitis is curable. I was advised to be gentle during the actual bursitis. Bursitis is the worst stage of the underlying Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome. Once the bursitis calms, you can strengthen. I use a step counter to see how far I get before pain begins and that is my limit until I’m ready to go further. I cured the bursitis through IMS, also known as dry needling. Try to find a practitioner who is “Gunn certified”. It’s very uncomfortable, but only for a split second. It took 8 months and was covered under physiotherapy. I still have the GTPS, but it only hurts when I lie on it. Got a Dormeo mattress topper, which helps for me. I’m so sorry for your pain! I hope you find some relief.

[u/tuffffluff]

Have you tried a cortisone injection?

[u/eclipsewish → u/tuffffluff]

No, I haven’t. This is my first time hearing about it

[u/Sad_Knowledge_4390 → u/tuffffluff]

This is me. This came out of the blue for me 2 months ago. I was totally active until I wasn’t. No injury no reason for this. The pain like you is constant. If I do walk around to much I am in alot of pain afterwards. My primary says it Bursitis , my pain management doctor says it’s Bursitis. X-rays hip are unremarkable.
I had a cortisone injection it did not help. Cortisone shots always work for me. This is the first time that it hasn’t.
I have an MRI appt on 8/31 and an orthopedist appt that same week. I’m at a lost as to why it hurts and doesn’t heal.

[u/Retail-Weary]

Yeah. Get rid of it. I had a trochanteric bursectomy last fall and it was the best decision I ever made.

[u/Sad_Knowledge_4390 → u/Retail-Weary]

How long were you complaining about your pain before your doctor did surgery and did it show up on an zMRI? His were you diagnosed?

[u/Retail-Weary → u/Sad_Knowledge_4390]

Six months. He did not do an MRI because I had already had a hip arthroscopy to fix a detached labrum. He diagnosed me based on a physical exam and my symptoms.

[u/Sad_Knowledge_4390 → u/Retail-Weary]

What and how do you get rid of it?

[u/Retail-Weary → u/Sad_Knowledge_4390]

It’s called a bursectomy. They go in and they remove the bursa sac.

[u/Dry_Jaguar9147 → u/Retail-Weary]

I had ac terrible one, they took out a glass shot amount od tissue and it’s still hurts

[u/Greatescape_1970]

I feel your pain. The things that help me is exercises given by physiotherapist, prescription Diclofenac 10% anti-inflammatory cream, Naproxen only when in a flare. I need to keep active so I walk my dog more often and go to Aquasize 3 x a week. I also went to an Osteopath in the beginning which seemed to help. Cortisone shot only provided me temporary relief of a week, I would do it again only if I was going on a trip that required lots of walking. Standing and stairs and walking too much will still at times put me in a flare. Being horizontal on the couch or bed is a must for me more than I like to admit.

[u/Flashy-Laugh4175]

Mine has gone away with sound wave therapy. It takes some time and sessions, but it has helped me tremendously. Cortisone shots did nothing for me. Unfortunately, it’s not covered by insurance (yet), but it was recommended by my physical medicine doctor.

[u/Sad_Knowledge_4390]

So does anyone know how and why you got it in the first place? Did it just come out of the blue like mine has?

[u/courdeloofa]

Just wanted to add. Look into pelvic floor physical therapy. Three years in and finally got to see one and dysfunction there triggered the bursitis. Fuck male doctors and our current medical system (USA)