The tremendous amount of stress running places on your body can cause the tops of your hips to hurt. Pain that occurs at the tops of your hips is a common overuse injury known as bursitis. Bursitis causes an inflammation of the bursa, fluid-filled sacs, that cushion the top of your hip joint. Inflammation makes it difficult for your hip joints to function normally during running.
Symptoms
Pain is the main symptom of bursitis. Hip bursitis causes pain along the point of your hip -- or the top of your hip. Bursitis can affect one or both of your hips. As hip bursitis first develops, the pain is sharp and intense. As the condition progresses, the pain might extend to your thighs and is likely to cause more of a dull ache. The pain of bursitis is generally worse at night and increases while seated, walking for long periods and participating in exercise, including running.
Causes
Hip bursitis is more common in women than men, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as in the middle-aged and elderly. Overuse or repetitive stress on your hip joint is the most common cause of bursitis, running included. Some people are more prone to hip bursitis than others, including those with prior hip injuries, arthritis, prior hip surgeries, bone spurs, back problems and leg-length discrepancies.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Hip bursitis is diagnosed upon a physical examination by your doctor, who also will discuss your symptoms and take a medical history. Imaging studies, such as X-rays and MRIs, might be conducted to rule out other causes of hip pain including fractures and tears. Treatment for bursitis usually involves rest and anti-inflammatory medications. If pain is severe, your doctor might recommend the use of crutches, a walker or cane until your pain subsides. Corticosteroid injections also might be used to control the pain of hip bursitis. Surgery is an uncommon form of treatment, but if conservative treatment fails, surgery can be performed to remove the affected bursa.
Prevention
Bursitis and other hip overuse injuries can be prevented. When running, wear supportive running shoes that absorb shock and thus place less stress on your hip joints. If you are overweight, losing weight can help to decrease the amount of stress placed on your hips. Prior to running, always stretch to increase the flexibility in your hip muscles. Avoid overtraining, which also can lead to injury. Listen to your body.
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