Does trochanteric bursitis cause hip pain?

Trochanteric bursitis involves irritation around the bony prominence on the outside of the upper thigh. Pain may feel tender to touch and can spread a short distance down the outer thigh. It may flare after repeated walking, running, side-lying, or a change in activity. Similar symptoms can also come from nearby tendons, the lower back, or the hip joint, so the location and movement pattern help a clinician assess the cause.

Reduce activities that clearly trigger the pain for a short period, while keeping comfortable gentle movement. Avoid lying on the painful side and consider a pillow between the knees when side-sleeping. Ice wrapped in a cloth may soothe a flare. A physiotherapist can guide gradual hip-strengthening and movement changes; a clinician can discuss suitable pain relief if you have medical conditions or take other medicines.

Arrange an assessment if pain persists, limits walking, repeatedly disrupts sleep, or returns whenever normal activity resumes. Seek urgent care after a significant fall, if you cannot bear weight, or if the hip is hot, markedly swollen, or accompanied by fever. Sudden weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control needs urgent medical attention.

Could the pain be coming from the outer hip tendons, the hip joint, or my back? Which movements should I temporarily modify? What exercises are appropriate now, and what signs mean I should stop?