Having bursitis can interfere with work, hobbies and daily activities. It may be challenging or painful to get in and out of a chair or climb stairs. Although there are surgical techniques to relieve your symptoms, you and your doctor may want to try some more conservative therapies first. Each case is unique, but there are some common techniques you can try.
Considerations
Hip bursitis is a chronic condition caused by an inflammation or irritation to the bursa sacs in the hip joints. Even if you find techniques that help calm your symptoms, take care to not injure the area again. With the right treatment program, you can keep symptoms under control. Most important, develop habits that will prevent your bursitis symptoms from flaring up again. You can't cure your bursitis without surgery, but you can get back to full or close to full functioning.
Physical Therapy
A conservative approach usually begins with physical therapy. Your therapist can evaluate your situation and help you to develop an appropriate treatment program. He can help you learn which movements exacerbate your symptoms and what helps you feel better. A physical therapist can use ultrasound, estim and other modalities to bring your pain under control so you can start to heal and return to normal activities. In addition, you can learn how to participate in your favorite hobbies and keep working in a way that doesn't aggravate your bursitis.
Exercise
Initially you may need to rest your hip to allow your symptoms to calm down. Then you can establish a safe exercise program. Hip bursitis symptoms can worsen if your muscles are weak or tight. Strengthening the muscles that surround your hip joints takes pressure off your hip. If your muscles are tight, they may be pulling on your hip joint and making your symptoms worse. A gentle stretching program can help you to become more flexible in the hip joint, which can reduce stiffness and pain.
Using Heat and Ice
Applying hot and cold therapy can also help. Heat feels good and can help your muscles to relax and release tension. If your symptoms are making exercise difficult, try applying heat before you exercise. This can hep to make your muscles looser and more receptive to movement. Ice works by constricting the blood vessels, which allows the area to rest. If you are in pain or just finished exercising, try applying ice to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your bursitis. This includes anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medications and muscle relaxants. If your symptoms are severe and the therapies in the above sections don't help, medication may be necessary to help you cope. Your physician may also recommend injections of steroids directly into the hip to deliver a stronger dose of medication to the area. You'll need to take antibiotics if an infection is present.
