Hip Bursitis (Trochanteric Bursitis / ITB Friction Syndrome)

Hip bursitis causes outer hip pain from inflamed bursae, making walking, climbing stairs, sleeping, and daily movement uncomfortable and difficult.

Understanding Hip Bursitis

Hip Bursitis occurs when the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, muscles, and tendons around the hip joint become irritated or inflamed. It is frequently seen in runners, triathletes, and individuals who spend long hours sitting before returning to physical activity.

Causes

Tight hip flexor muscles
Weak gluteal muscles
Over-pronation or flat feet
Other underlying medical or biomechanical issues

Symptoms

Persistent pain or tenderness on the outer hip
Pain when lying on the affected side
Sleep disturbance due to hip pain
Discomfort when climbing stairs, sitting to standing, or exiting vehicles

Treatment

Physiotherapy corrects muscle imbalances, strengthens gluteal muscles, releases tight hip flexors, and improves hip and lower back mobility. Manual therapy, ultrasound, ice therapy, and electrical stimulation may also be used.

Specialist & Regenerative Medicine Options

When hip bursitis is persistent or recurrent despite physiotherapy and activity modification, our Prestidge physicians can offer targeted injectable and regenerative treatments to address bursal inflammation and support long-term tissue health.

Corticosteroid Injections — An ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid directly into the inflamed bursa provides fast and effective short-term relief, allowing rehabilitation to recommence.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy — PRP can be injected into or around the trochanteric bursa to reduce chronic inflammation and support healing of the surrounding soft tissues, with longer-lasting results than corticosteroid alone.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections — In cases where the hip joint itself is also contributing to bursitis symptoms, viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid can improve joint mechanics and reduce overall load on the bursa.
Prolotherapy — Injection into the ITB and surrounding ligamentous structures helps restore stability and reduce the friction that drives bursal irritation.
Dry Needling / Barbotage — In chronic bursitis with calcification, image-guided needling can break down calcium deposits and stimulate a fresh healing response.

Our sports and exercise physicians at Prestidge work alongside your treating clinician to determine which option best suits your condition, goals, and stage of injury. Image-guided procedures are performed with precision and care. Visit prestidge.com.au to learn more about our full range of specialist services.

Important: All specialist consultations, prescription treatments, and injectable procedures are subject to individual clinical assessment by a registered medical practitioner. Suitability, potential benefits, and risks will be discussed during your consultation. No treatment outcomes are guaranteed. Prescription medicines — including testosterone and peptide therapies — are only available following appropriate medical review and a valid prescription in accordance with TGA and AHPRA requirements.

Prevention Tips

Build hip muscle strength, take regular movement breaks, maintain a consistent exercise routine, and incorporate proper warm-up and stretching before activity. Avoiding rapid training load increases is key to prevention.

(02) 9948 1767