What should you know about sub trochanteric bursitis?

A bursa near the greater trochanter helps tissues glide around the hip. Repeated loading, pressure from lying on one side, altered walking or a knock can irritate it and cause pain over the outer hip.

Hip pain from this area may spread along the outer thigh. It can be worse when climbing stairs, standing on one leg, getting out of a chair or lying on the painful side. Similar symptoms can come from tendons, the lower back or the hip joint, so examination helps separate these possibilities.

Temporarily reduce activities that sharply increase pain, avoid lying directly on the sore side and use a pillow between the knees if side sleeping is uncomfortable. Keep gentle movement within tolerable limits rather than remaining still for long periods.

Physiotherapy can address hip strength, walking mechanics and load management. If symptoms persist, a clinician may discuss a cortisone injection after assessing the diagnosis. Shockwave therapy may be considered in selected ongoing cases, depending on the underlying tissue involved.

Seek urgent assessment after a major fall, if you cannot bear weight, or if hip pain comes with fever, a hot swollen area or feeling acutely unwell. Book a review when pain persists, repeatedly wakes you, causes a limp or fails to improve after activity changes.

Ask: Is the pain coming from the bursa, tendon, joint or back? Which exercises are suitable now? How should I change sleep and walking loads? When would physiotherapy, an injection or shockwave therapy be reasonable?