How long can hip bursitis last for?

Nov 9, 09 10:12

Post #1 of 39 (74623 views)

Am hoping someone here has experience with hip bursitis, and can tell me if it's reasonable that I still have it.

I fell last March on an icy trail run (stupidly didn't bring my icers, b/c I'm a moron :) ). Landed right on my hip, hard. There was some bruising and swelling.

In runs after the fall, I began to notice pain in the hip joint itself, and around the hip joint. It persisted post-run. Eventually I started having the IT band in my knee trigger and had real problems with ITBS as a result.

In late June, I got diagnosed with a neuroma in my foot, and had to take a few months off. I started off again with short runs, and since I was in no hurry, training-wise, stuck to short stuff for a while to try to really allow my body to recover. No problems with my hip during this time.

I did miss part of October with bronchitis/asthma/walking pneuomonia, but am back running again.

Last Saturday (edit: as in the weekend before last, not 2 days ago) my long run exacerbated my hip, and I had a lot of pain on Sunday during a hike I choose to cut short as I could feel my IT band tweaking, and I don't want to deal with that again. It was my first long run since I got sick and I think some of it was muscle soreness, but the same joint pain was there as well.

I am supposed to do 20k tonight (like I said, I stuck to short stuff, 5 and 10ks, for a long time), and I have pain in my hip joint. I had some hip pain riding Saturday in a new position on the trainer (new pedals, new saddle).

It is a beautiful day, so I am tempted to do my run, though I'm also tempted not to due to nervousness about setting off another brutal bout of ITBS.

When I saw my doctor (gp) last spring, he dx'd me with hip bursitis. He told me I could stop it from healing, but I couldn't make it any worse by running on it.

I see a sports med doctor next Wednesday. I have started some exercises to work on the muscles around my hip.

I thought rest was supposed to heal bursitis. This has gotten tonnes of rest - what's the deal here? I need to lose some weight, but I don't think that's contributing, though maybe it is. I thought this was gone and I'm kinda pissed that it's back again. Has anyone had hip bursitis persist this long, especially through a long layoff period?

Last edited by: Teags: Nov 9, 09 10:13

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 16:31

Post #2 of 39 (74575 views)

no idea but I've got hip stuff going on too so I think I feel your pain... literally :P

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [tigerchik] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 16:58

Post #3 of 39 (74558 views)

I have been dealing with it for over 3 years. Now it is manageable and I can sleep on my left hip again, but if I forget to stretch or use the foam roller (which kills me) then it will let me know in a hurry. I expect that this is something I will deal with for the rest of my life but 3 years ago I thought I was going to give up on all exercise. Trust the foam roller.

Swim, Forrest, Swim. Bike, Forrest, Bike. Run, Forrest, Run.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 17:02

Post #4 of 39 (74556 views)

have battled with it for several years, for me being 172 lbs as opposed to 192 makes a huge difference I'm 6 feet 2 in tall. For some reason running doesn't always bother it as much as being dragged around by my wife at the stupid shopping mall or the state fair or other walking types of things. Yoga has helped some as well. Other stuff makes it flare up as well, going on a bender and a hard motel bed. I've taken Cataflam or advil also help.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Enginefour] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 17:14

Post #5 of 39 (74549 views)

I dropped from 175 to 150 and that helped but I 100% agree with the shopping and all other tasks that you don't want to do. Nothing flares up my bursitis worse than a "honey do" list

Swim, Forrest, Swim. Bike, Forrest, Bike. Run, Forrest, Run.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [IntheHunt] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 17:27

Post #6 of 39 (74541 views)

I should drop a similar amount of weight to both of you, maybe a bit more (25-30lbs)....sigh....so hopefully that will help. Yet another reason for me to drop the weight.

TC, boo....hope it heals quickly!

3 years. Wow. That is my nightmare!

I've used the foam roller for my IT band but thought maybe not to for my hip/bursa.

I just got the hip piece, or part of it, of a tattoo yesterday. It was painful, and usually I don't find tattooing painful, so maybe it's also bad today b/c I was tensing my muscles or something. When the tattoo is more healed I will get back on the foam roller. Have to love the pain from the roller! But it's better than pain from the IT band/bursa.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 17:54

Post #7 of 39 (74530 views)

I had hip issues flaring up for a few weeks and was recommended to an individual who practices Active Release. All I can say is two appointments and my hip is way better. I was hoping to be able to comfortably run and now I'm running with no pain. At least worth considering. I have nothing to do with them, but was blown away with the result. activerelease.com is the website of the certifying agency.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [boatracer] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 18:23

Post #8 of 39 (74522 views)

That's another thing I want to talk to the doctor about. My bf knows an ART therapist so I am will maybe talk to her. What a bad time to get a tattoo, cause I should probably let it heal first as well. Dammit!

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 9, 09 19:30

Post #9 of 39 (74497 views)

I will also vouch for Active release technique to help hip issues. I don't know specifically about bursitis because that is inflamation of bursa right? but if you are having IT issues, see someone that does ART or better yet ART and Graston. Both hurt like a B and will bruise you like got in a fight but you will feel better immediately.

ART and Graston cured my IT band issues and I'm currently having ART on my rotator cuff with much success.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

davetheneighbor

Nov 9, 09 20:30

Post #10 of 39 (74472 views)

I had this. Really, was an overuse-type things. Going from running 5 to 10 miles to 15 to 20 training for marathon. Miraculously, when I cut down on miles (and ran more on a cushy treadmill), it diminished. Sounds like your case is more serious than mine, though. Still, run the mill a bit and a bit more speed work and a bit less mileage.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 2:06

Post #11 of 39 (74444 views)

Hey,
i had a chronic hip (sub trochanteric) bursitis for about three months.
i continued running up to 120km a week on it despite it hurting and tried a fair few conservative types of treatments on it, none of them, including rest really had any effect.
in the end i couldnt shake it, and ended up with a really wasted/atrophied glute medius from the pain inhibition and altered running style.
In the end what cured it, and very quickly within a week was a one off cortisone injection guided into the bursa via ultrasound.
This should be able to be done at your local sports medicine doctor with access to real time Ultra sound imaging.
after this the rehab involved a lot of one legged squats and correcting my pelvic drop due to the hip abductor muscle weakness.
If you have any more questions on it shoot me a PM

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 4:10

Post #12 of 39 (74436 views)

Too often the SI joint will be frozen up on that side affecting normal movement of the pelvis. Common for this dysfunction to slow recovery. Try getting the SI joint mobilized as part of your treatment.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Ruley] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 6:12

Post #13 of 39 (74410 views)

davetheneighbour, I am thinking of sticking to shorter distances until I have better resolution of this. No treadmill access but also will bike more, though that can mildly set it off as well, I think I need to change the saddle position.

Ruley, that is something else I'm thinking of asking for next Wednesday at the sports med dr's. I hear a lot of negative things about weaking of tissue - I'm assuming not so much of an issue w/the bursa, did you find any negatives though?

dddave, what is an SI freeze?

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 11:26

Post #14 of 39 (74383 views)

SI or sacroilliac is a true skeletal joint that has motion. With trauma and overuse the SI can lose its normal range of motion and freeze or stiffen up.

Stretching, yoga and manipulation are means to loosen the SI (two, right. and left).

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [dddave] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 12:51

Post #15 of 39 (74357 views)

Thanks!

Yoga is something I was doing and got away from, though I have been stretching more than usual (not saying much for me).

I am going to a physio who is certified as an acupuncturist tomorrow, to get some acupuncture done, hoping that helps too. This would be happening in a freakish November warm spell that I am kicking myself for being injured during.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Ruley] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 13:48

Post #16 of 39 (74338 views)

I had a case of hip bursitis a few years ago where I didn't know what was causing the pain, just that it was getting worse. Eventually went to the ER because it took me an hour to get out of bed one Christmas weekend, when my doc was out of town. An x-ray diagnosed the bursitis, and a steroid injection cured it within an hour. If you're going to go with needles, I would strongly suggesting seeing a doctor and seeing if steroids/cortisone is appropriate here.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 10, 09 21:57

Post #17 of 39 (74296 views)

Hey Teags,
as far as negatives with cortisone(corticosteriods), they can break down collagen, but as this will likely be a one off injection in a non load bearing structure then you are extremely unlikely to have any issues. quite different to multiple injections into something such as your plantar fascia or achilles tendon.
As far as negatives go, well you have to take a week off running, but i'm guessing at this stage you wont be too concerned by that as i was not too fussed after three months of aching in my hip.
As far as SI freeze goes and other stuff- dont bother pursuing in yet, you know you have an inflammed bursa that was triggered by falling on it. it seems pretty unlikely that other things have triggered it as you have a pretty clear mechanism. stick to the standard stuff untill you have pursued it, then if it fails start looking into left field.
Cheers
Ruley
(physiotherapist and glorified geriatric walker)

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 11, 09 2:03

Post #18 of 39 (74286 views)

I dealt with it this spring/summer. in early july i finally got a cortisone shot and it went away. i took 2 weeks off from running after the shot and then started back with very low miles for 3 weeks (my running before the shot was pretty non existent because i was in so much pain) haven't had a problem since.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Ruley] [ In reply to ]

Nov 11, 09 5:57

Post #19 of 39 (74257 views)

I'm glad to hear a couple of good shot stories.

That's what I thought, that the shot can weaken things and hasten a rupture, for instance, but in the case of a bursa, it's not load-bearing and it doesn't really matter. As far as I know you can remove bursas and remain active, so any possible weakening is a non-issue.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Martin Zollinger

Nov 11, 09 6:22

Post #20 of 39 (74249 views)

Whats the sports doc say?
Often times a chronic hip bursitis can involve a partial tear in overlying muscles. Keep this in mind as you go to the sports med doc and get him to order appropriate imaging. Finding out which bursa is inflamed, but more importantly why should be the key questions.
Let us know how the MD appt goes,
Martin

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Supermartin73] [ In reply to ]

Nov 11, 09 6:30

Post #21 of 39 (74245 views)

Thanks!

What would the appropriate imaging be? I was going to ask about x-ray, should I ask about ultrasound as well? What will everything show up on?

I'm not going to my regular sports med. dr, as I would've had to wait into December to see him, but I'm seeing a dr. at the same clinic who is good, so hopefully that goes well.

I have a friend who has a hip injury going for a bone scan and then a MRI - it took him 8 weeks to get the MRI appointment, which isn't bad here (I'm in Toronto). He has something different though, his hip pops out of joint plus undiagnosed pain (he refuses to stop or modify his training, which even I can see is stupid).

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Martin Zollinger

Nov 11, 09 14:58

Post #22 of 39 (74215 views)

Let us know how your visit goes, imaging will depend on what the history and physical bring forward, but if soft tissue tear is suspected a diagnostic ultrasound is cheap and easy.
Also, if you are not satisfied and you are in Toronto get a second opinion with Dr. Pajaczkowsi at http://www.sportsperformancecentres.com. They are the best in the GTA for sports injuries.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Supermartin73] [ In reply to ]

Nov 11, 09 15:14

Post #23 of 39 (74206 views)

I was actually just coming to update how physio went!

I see Dr. Shukla @ Sports Medicine Specialists next week, normally I would see Dr. Clarfield but I don't want to wait. He's been my sports doc for 13 years though!

Anyways, apparently I don't have bursitis at all. No pain when the bursa was touched/pressure was put on it.

However, my capsule is extremely inflexible - barely any movement in it, if I'm using the right terms. The range of motion in the joint itself is okay though.

What my physio thinks happened is I fell, got bursitis, which has resolved, but I now have the biomechanical issues that resulted. Like Ruley, I have an extremely weakened glute, and the tightened capsule. She had me put my ankle on my leg and let my leg fall, and my capsule is so tight my left leg doesn't fall at all.

She was surprised I can run 12k pain-free.

So I have stretches, exercises, and did acupuncture today which actually helped a lot. I also have an acupressure point to work on to get at the capsule, and when my tattoo is more healed ART.

I am still going to ask for diagnostics next week - this has been going on for long enough I want to get this right - but I think this is a good thing, if it's correct. Certainly the treatment so far has helped a lot with the pain.

Last edited by: Teags: Nov 11, 09 15:16

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Martin Zollinger

Nov 11, 09 15:41

Post #24 of 39 (74192 views)

In Reply To:

However, my capsule is extremely inflexible - barely any movement in it, if I'm using the right terms. The range of motion in the joint itself is okay though.

This does not make too much sense....if the capsule is tight, you should also loose hip ROM, and the range of motion of the hip joint sounds decreased by the stretch you describe **hard without seeing/doing it myself**, which may mean the hip joint has an issue. Have the sports doc rule out hip impingement (FAI) with everything else he is doing.
I am sure a competent sports doc will properly assess and decide....if they suspect hip joint that may warrant x-ray 1st, as opposed to imaging focused on the soft tissues.....

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Supermartin73] [ In reply to ]

Nov 11, 09 15:56

Post #25 of 39 (74182 views)

Perfect! Thank you!

....I was a little confused on that point myself, but I figured they functioned separately or something.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 11, 09 17:26

Post #26 of 39 (12157 views)

Teags - you're getting lots of help here, nice to have a forum. True bursitis is to be distinguished from SI joint issues. One usually refers to the Trochanteric Bursa when referring to hip bursitis but actually there are a number of bursae (bursas) around the joint. They are not normally visible on xray. The sacroiliac joint, although labeled a joint, has hardly any motion to it. With more of a sliding action, the joint moves 2-3mm's and can rotate about 3 -5 degrees. Not much. Years ago people described its fit more like interconnecting Lego pieces.

When you talk with your health care provider, in addition to checking muscle strength, sensory, reflexes and the like, a careful examination of the motion of the hips and spine, comparing the normal to painful side should help create an accurate picture. Whether or not further testing, xrays, etc. are in order can be decided at that point. If you google trochanteric bursitis, you should get more info than you'd ever wanted and help you help your doc. Good luck.

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]

Nov 12, 09 6:07

Post #27 of 39 (12135 views)

Thank you, that's very helpful. I think actually my joint popped back into place last night while I was stretching - something went 'pop' anyways :)

So it's possible I still have bursitis but with more submerged bursa. Are the bursa normally not visible on x-ray visible on ultrasound?

The physio yesterday compared sides - there is a big difference in mobility and strength side to side. I was actually quite surprised.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Nov 12, 09 18:40

Post #28 of 39 (12111 views)

Teags - asymmetric range of motion of joints is just one part of an exam. Believe it or not, there's quite a large percentage of us with unequal joint motion, limb length or strength. The trick is to put it into a complete history and physical exam and come out with recommendations specific to individual under your care at that moment.

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Aug 16, 11 23:43

Post #29 of 39 (11623 views)

Hello, I just came across this post from a while back.

I've been struggling with a lingering hip bursitis for years as a result of a bike accident (fell sideways on my hip). Nothing was broken, nothing on x-rays or MRIs, it took quite some time for the doctors to get to the bottom of the pain: hip bursitis.
So a year after the accident I had arthroscopy during which a) they found a labral tear b) they took the bursa out (bursectomy). They said if the bursa gives you permanent inflammation it's not doing its job, plus it grows back, anyway. Well, the pain certainly grew back after recovering from that surgery so to me the net effect was zero. That of course is my own subjective experience. Interestingly a cousin from Germany who is an orthopedic surgeon said that hip arthroscopy over there has barely left experimental stages. When I had mine in 2009 in the US I believe it had been around just a few years.

Now this summer I thought I was finally over it and resurrected a lifelong dream to do triathlon. Sure enough, 2 months into training (ie. biking and slowly building up a running program - "couch to 5k" - as I've never run before) I got that nasty pain back, and am resting for now. The orthopedic surgeon back then didn't seem to have any other suggestions other than giving me heavy painkillers/anti-inflammatory drugs with dreadful side effects and perhaps more PT which a year after the accident yielded no further improvements. So now I'm back to square one.

Just curious how your saga ended - given that there were no more posts I sure hope for you that it did. Did you try ART and GRASTON?

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Aug 16, 11 23:53

Post #30 of 39 (11622 views)

Have you had any imaging of your hip? A Primary Care Sports Medicine doctor skilled in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound can evaluate your greater trochanteric area to determine if in fact you have trochanteric bursitis, tendinopathy of the gluteus medius tendon, or other issue. If you are having hip joint issues, an MR Arthrogram of the hip joint is the way to go.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [teamfrankel] [ In reply to ]

Jun 30, 16 21:17

Post #31 of 39 (6129 views)

I've had a cortisone shot for my HB which I've had for 6+ weeks now, it's helped a little bit, but that was two weeks ago. 3 questions:

1) how long does it take for the cortisone to take effect?
2) can I run with HB and manage it, as in run, ice, NSAIDs or should I rest it completely until 100% OK?
3) recovery is slow, I'm beginning to think that sitting for 6, 7 hours a day at work could be making it worse? I tend to slouch. Is sitting, especially with poor posture known to exacerbate HB?

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Jun 30, 16 22:10

Post #32 of 39 (6121 views)

Recall, if you aren't getting better it helps to question your diagnosis and or treatment.

I think it was Martin Z. that makes a great point about tears. Perhaps an MRI would be helpful.

Gluteus medius tears are either traumatic or degenerative.

The degenerative tears are part of chronic inflammation of the tendon that results from many small tears over time. They are almost always associated with trochanteric bursitis and often tight ITB friction in the area. In one study of patients with lateral hip pain almost half of them had some sort of gluteus medius tear.

A gluteus medius tear can be graded ==>

Grade 1 strain is mild tear, associated with pain but no loss of motion or strength

Grade 2 strains or partial tears show some loss of flexibility and strength

Grade 3 complete tears, loss of strength and mobility

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]

Jun 30, 16 22:15

Post #33 of 39 (6118 views)

I didn't see johnpostmd's response before I added my comment.

John always has great advice.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Kevin P.] [ In reply to ]

Jul 1, 16 3:03

Post #34 of 39 (6108 views)

I'm really interested in this: I too suffer from a trochantic bursitis. So bad that some days I oscillate constantly between sitting and standing to relieve the pain.

Localised injections haven't helped, but did offer some short-term relief.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [olmec] [ In reply to ]

Jul 1, 16 6:15

Post #35 of 39 (6079 views)

I had a hip bursa issue a few years ago which I believe was caused by and overly aggressive massage a week after an IM. Lived with the pain for about a month and then when to see a physiotherapist/osteopath and got some relief after about 6 weeks. A 6 hour stretch in a car driving kids home after Thanksgiving brought on the pain again to the point that I could hardly walk. The next day I laid down on the couch on my side on top of an ice pack. The next day the pain was gone and hasn't come back.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [zedzded] [ In reply to ]

Jul 1, 16 7:27

Post #36 of 39 (6064 views)

I started running a week after my shot for hip bursitis. I didn't have symptoms post shot but I started back super slow. Just ease back into the volume and don't be afraid to back off.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Jul 1, 16 8:06

Post #37 of 39 (6057 views)

I have had my own issues with hip bursitis as well.
At the time I was a D1 College athlete and doing winter training in a cold climate. I was running 75-100 mile weeks on the same treadmill. There was 1 TV in the gym which caused me to continually look to my left while running. One day during a long run on the treadmill I felt a sharp pain develop in my left hip. I decided to try to run in off but the pain only worsened.

I decided to immediately take 3-4 days off and try running on it again. After the 4th day I went for a light run and instantly felt pain. I also could no longer sleep on my left side.

I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with hip bursitis. I had a few big races coming up so I pushed the doctor to give me a cortisone shot. The cortisone shot had no effect and I was limited to swimming and cycling. I went to both a physical therapist and a chiropractor. Continuous treatment with both doctors did not seem to have much effect either (although the physical therapist was able to help me with some form issues which has helped me in the long run).

All in all the bursitis took 3 months to fully heal and then I had to come back very, very slowly.

I also saw you had an issue with neuroma. I have recently had an issue on the bottom of my right foot which I believe is neuroma. I don't want to highjack the thread but could you tell me a little about your healing process for that? Any advice? I have 70.3 Santa Cruz in about a month and I am not able to run or bike at this time.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [Teags] [ In reply to ]

Jul 4, 16 18:04

Post #38 of 39 (6012 views)

I had a number of races scheduled and diagnosed with hip bursitis with injections which were no help. I had picked up a home remedies book, saw a solution for HP and thought I had nothing to lose so I tried the suggestion and was pain free, back to training without any issues.

Rub castor oil on the impacted area, place a piece of old flannel on the castor oil, put a piece of saran wrap over the flannel and place the heating pad on the area. I was shocked at how well this work.

I now go to a holistic massage therapist who does this same treatment for HP.

Re: How long can hip bursitis last for? [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]

Jul 4, 16 18:43

Post #39 of 39 (6003 views)

I agree with John here. You must rule out spine pathology first and foremost. A lack of range of motion in the joint speaks more to a derangement within the joint (something out of place affecting motion) than just an inflammatory response of the bursa. It is likely that a loss of ROM treated effectively will reduce your pain at the lateral hip than just treating a "bursitis." Find a good mechanical physical therapist who will stretch in an appropriate direction that increases your ROM without making you worse overall.

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