Bursa sacs in the hip joints help absorb shock between tendons and bones. These fluid-filled sacs tend to have only a small amount of fluid in them, but when the sac gets injured, the fluid increases, resulting in swelling that can be painful. Bursitis is a temporary condition that often goes away in a few weeks, but could take a couple months, depending on the severity of the bursitis and the treatment methods.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of hip bursitis is pain in the hip joint. You may also experience this pain in the thigh area. According to the American Academy or Orthopedic Surgeons, or AAOS, the pain early on tends to be sharp and intense and later becomes more achy. You are likely to experience this pain at its worst during the night, especially when lying on the hip and/or when getting up after being seated for an extended period of time.
Risk Factors
Several conditions can make you more likely to experience hip bursitis. Overuse of the hip joints, as sometimes occurs while running, bicycling, or doing other repetitive activities, can cause this. Prior hip injuries, spine diseases and rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to hip bursitis, as can uneven leg lengths, bone spurs and calcium deposits, according to the AAOS.
At-Home Stretching
The best stretches you can do at home are ones that work the hip flexor muscle along the side of your hip. A good stretch is to stand and cross one leg in front of the other. With both feet on the ground, lean to the side in the direction you have stepped toward, repeating on both sides. You can also sit on the ground with your legs and feet straight out in front of you. Lift one leg over the other, bending at the knee and placing the foot flat on the ground near your other knee. Place one hand on your knee and, balancing with the other on the ground, turn your torso away from the knee.
Physical Therapy
While home treatments can be beneficial, they don't compare to the benefits you will enjoy by going to a physical therapist. These professionals will put your hips through a series of stretches that will help increase blood flow to the injury and gradually increase the stress and weight you can comfortably place on the joint.
Considerations
While stretching can be a good way to treat and improve hip bursitis, you should also consider employing stretches alongside other treatments, particularly if the stretching fails to make much progress in your condition. Some medications are available, such as ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and steroids. In worst-case scenarios, surgery can be a means of correcting hip bursitis.
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