Inflammation of the hip joint, which leads to pain and limited movement of the hip, is called bursitis. Pathology is quite common among women and can occur against the background of physical overload, concomitant diseases, or under the influence of infectious pathogens. In our article, we will take a closer look at what hip bursitis is. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pathology will also be discussed under the topic.
The concept of bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the synovial periarticular bursa, or bursa. Synovial bags are adjacent to the bone joints - shoulder, elbow, knee, hip - and act as shock absorbers,smoothing out the friction as the muscles slide against the bone. Bursae contain fluid that can become inflamed under the influence of certain factors.
The femur is characterized by a bony protrusion called the greater trochanter. Muscles that ensure the functioning of the hip joint are attached to this formation. A synovial bag adjoins the trochanter, in which irritation and inflammation can occur, leading to the development of hip bursitis.
There are other bursae adjacent to the hip joint, but inflammation occurs most frequently in three of them:
- swivel bag;
- pelvic bursa;
- sciatic pouch.
Types of bursitis
The inflammatory process that occurs in the trochanteric bursa causes a pathology of the same name - trochanteric bursitis (trochanteritis). This type of synovial bag is located near the greater trochanter of the thigh. With inflammation, pain occurs in the region of the greater trochanter - a bony protrusion on the femur (external). Next to this bag is the subtrochanteric synovial bag, the inflammation of which proceeds identically to the inflammation of the trochanteric bursa and is eliminated by the same methods.
The iliopectineal bursa is located in front of the lumboiliac muscle. Pathology in this synovial bursa leads to iliopectineal bursitis. Since this bag is connected to the joint cavity, inflammation in it resembles coxitis(inflammatory process of the hip joint). Pain occurs in the anterointernal surface of the thigh (just below the groin). Extension of the hip joint increases pain, swelling or swelling may occur.
The ischial bursa is localized at the point where the muscles attach to the ischial tuberosity. Inflammation in it leads to ischial bursitis, which is characterized by pain when bending the hip.
Symptoms of hip bursitis
The main manifestation of bursitis is pain in the hip joint, which spreads mainly along the outer surface of the thigh. The early stages of the pathology are characterized by acute and intense pain. With the further development of the disease, the pain becomes less obvious.
Pathology takes a chronic form. At the same time, swelling occurs in the area of localization of the inflammatory process, which acquires a rounded shape and is characterized by a soft texture. The chronic form of bursitis does not cause dysfunction of the affected joint. Patients note the absence of burning pain.
In the acute stage of the pathology, the amount of fluid in the cavity of the affected bursa increases - cysts filled with exudate are formed - special symptoms of hip bursitis.
If the inflammatory process in the synovial bag occurs under the influence of infection, purulent bursitis develops, in which there is a sharp pain, especially when the limb is abducted and the hip is extended and flexed. Edema is formed on the outer side of the thigh, the patient cannot fullyflex or extend the hip.
In addition to pain, there are additional symptoms of hip bursitis:
- a swelling occurs at the site of the lesion, the size of which in diameter can reach up to 10 cm;
- swelling around the inflamed bursa;
- high temperature;
- deterioration in general condition.
Signs of bursitis in animals
Trochanteritis is a disease that occurs not only in humans, but also in pets. Often, dog owners are faced with such a pathology of their pets as hygroma - this is a swelling that forms on the surface of the olecranon, in the area of the calcaneus, and also at the location of the greater trochanter of the thigh. If a thick fibrous capsule has formed on the paw, the cavity of which is filled with liquid, we can say that there is a hygroma (bursitis) of the hip joint. Symptoms in dogs are as follows:
- the affected area of the limb (paw) is hot;
- animal holding a limb;
- dog's body temperature exceeds the norm, sometimes reaching 39.5 degrees;
- mobile swellings form under the skin, which can spontaneously open, and pus flows out of them.
Pathology often occurs either in very young or old animals. Large breeds of dogs are also more susceptible to the disease.
Bursitis can occur due to:
- infectious pathogens;
- wrong choice of bedding for the animal;
- uneven physical activity;
- hypothermia.
Risk factors in humans
Hip bursitis occurs more commonly in women than in men. Basically, pathology is diagnosed in the fair sex of middle or old age. Young men are rarely diagnosed with hip bursitis. The causes and treatment required to eliminate the manifestations of the disease can be very individual. Everything will depend on the body of a particular person. However, there are common factors, the impact of which leads to the development of pathology.
Hip bursitis is formed on the background of:
- Injuries to the femur - a fall on the thigh, a blow to something, a long stay of a person on one side of the body in a horizontal position.
- Occasional excessive stress on the hip joint - when climbing stairs, running long distances, cycling, standing for a long time.
- Pathology can occur with a physiological deficiency - different leg lengths, which has a direct impact on a person's gait. At the same time, the synovial bags of the hip joint are subject to severe irritation.
- Bursitis can be the result of concomitant diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spinal pathologies (scoliosis), etc.
- Surgical intervention in the hip area, as well as arthroplasty, can become a trigger in the development of pathology.
- Presence in the body of deposits of calcium s alts in the tendons of the greater trochanterthigh leads to irritation and inflammation of the synovial bag and, as a result, to bursitis.
- Hypothermia, physical inactivity (a sedentary lifestyle), overweight are companions of bursitis.
I must say that sometimes pathology occurs without any external causes.
Diagnosis. Inspection
In the diagnosis of hip bursitis, a complex of methods is used. The specialist conducts a conversation with the patient, as a result of which he finds out the presence / absence of concomitant diseases, possible previous surgical interventions. Particular attention is paid to a thorough examination of the patient, taking into account all his observations. The specialist takes into account complaints of increased soreness and sensitivity in the area of the protruding areas of the thigh.
Of all types of bursitis, trochanteric bursitis is the most common. This form of pathology is characterized by burning pain in the area of the hip joint. The pain may radiate along the outer surface of the thigh. It is difficult for the patient to be on one side for a long time during rest or sleep. The pain syndrome intensifies with active movement - when walking, squatting, sharp rotation of the hip, climbing stairs.
If there was a bruise of the hip and the pain is severe, acute bursitis is suspected. Often, the development of pathology as a result of an injury is preceded by a strong click, which is noticed by patients. Sometimes medical workers are interested in the type of activity of the patient, because the described disease is common among athletes.
Other examination methods
Since the hip joint is surrounded by a layer of muscle tissue, palpation of the thigh area is performed at the first stage of examination and diagnosis. With this manipulation, the area in which pain is felt is revealed. Next, the position of the joint is determined, in which the pain syndrome acquires the greatest amplitude (the doctor moves the patient's leg from side to side).
Often the diagnosis is clear at the examination stage, and additional diagnostics are not required, however, the patient may be assigned additional methods of research in cases that are ambiguous and controversial, or to rule out possible injuries and other pathological manifestations.
For example, x-rays for trochanteric bursitis reveal soft tissue calcifications in the greater trochanter. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly shows the inflammatory process of the trochanteric bursa and the accumulation of fluid in it. Performing an ultrasound also helps to determine the accumulation of excess fluid in the bag.
Bursitis treatment
Methods used in the treatment of bursitis depend on the period of the disease. So, in the initial stage of the disease, for the successful recovery of the patient, he is required to perform physiotherapy exercises, use anti-inflammatory drugs and adhere to the daily regimen, the main component of which is the complete rest of the patient and minimizing strong physical exertion and activity. To relieve the symptoms of hip bursitis,drug treatment begins with the use of anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs. It can be both oral preparations and ointments, gels, for example, Diclofenac. Often in therapy, a 2% solution of novocaine is used together with hydrocortisone (glucocorticoid hormones) to relieve severe pain. The patient is advised to avoid movements that cause pain. After the pain syndrome is stopped, you can perform light physical exercises aimed at training and strengthening the gluteal muscle.
In advanced cases (if the above methods do not have the desired therapeutic effect), they resort to physiotherapeutic procedures - laser therapy, magnetic therapy, electroanalgesia, decimeter wave therapy, naftalan applications. Sometimes shock wave extracorporeal treatment is effective in the treatment of bursitis.
The failure of these procedures will entail the injection of drugs containing glucocorticoids (in the area of the greatest pain), and sometimes surgery. The principle of surgery for trochanteric bursitis is to relieve tension in the ilio-tibial tract. Sometimes excision of the trochanteric bag of the joint is performed. The prognosis for recovery from such operations is overwhelmingly good.
Complications and rehabilitation
The main complication of trochanteric bursitis is the transition of the disease from the acute stage to the chronic one. In chronic disease, in most casesa surgical intervention is necessary - an operation.
Typically, the symptoms of hip bursitis disappear after a few weeks at the most. However, there are cases when the symptoms of the disease do not go away for several months, in which case we can say that the pathology has passed into the chronic stage. At the same time, the pain syndrome and limitation of the internal mobility of the thigh remain.
When adhesive capsulitis is formed - inflammation of the capsule of the hip joint, the patient has a feeling of a "frozen" hip joint.
The left side of the picture illustrates an inflamed joint. In this case, there is a partial or complete violation of its mobility. The right side of the picture reflects the he althy state of the capsule.
If surgery has taken place, it is very important to undergo the necessary rehabilitation. During this period, it is recommended to use assistive devices when moving - crutches, canes, walkers. This is especially true for the first days after the operation. However, it is necessary to start moving and get out of bed on the day of the manipulation itself. This contributes to the correct restoration of tissues. A few days after the operation, the pain syndrome that accompanies hip bursitis usually disappears.
Treatment with folk remedies
Treatment of bursitis with the help of traditional medicine recipes is aimed primarily at stopping the inflammatory process. In most cases, these are usedabsorbable compresses.
For example, with bursitis of the hip joint, rub 1 tbsp. a spoonful of laundry soap, add a spoonful of honey, grated onion (1 tablespoon). The resulting mass is thoroughly mixed and laid on a cotton cloth. The compress is applied to the inflamed area, wrapped with a woolen cloth, kept for 2-4 hours. Treatment is usually carried out within seven days.
There is another effective compress recipe that helps eliminate the manifestation of the disease (hip bursitis), symptoms. Medicines are made on the basis of two glasses of alcohol mixed with a bottle of pharmacy bile, two glasses of horse chestnut and aloe. The resulting mixture is kept for a week and a half. Then a linen cloth soaked in the product is applied to the sore spot. Keep the compress should be from 3 to 4 hours. Treatment is carried out for ten days.
In order to get rid of bursitis, use burdock leaf, cabbage leaf. These herbal remedies have an antitumor (retardant) effect. Often, traditional medicine suggests using vegetable compresses from beets, potatoes, cabbage. The vegetable is rubbed on a fine grater and spread on a natural fabric with a layer of about 0.5-1 cm. The therapeutic compress should cover the area of edema (swollen area) completely. Treatment is carried out from 2 to 4 hours, during the week.
Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude that bursitis is a disease, the occurrence of which is due to a number of factors, namely:excessive physical activity, previous surgical procedures, infectious pathogens. Pathology is treatable, but it is important not to start the disease, and when the first manifestations of the disease appear, contact a specialist and start therapeutic procedures.
The article describes in detail what hip bursitis is. Symptoms, photos illustrating the manifestation of the disease, methods of treatment are also covered in the materials of this topic.
