The Benefits of Physiotherapy for Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric bursitis, often referred to as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), is a common cause of pain on the outside of the hip. It can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car or lying on your affected side uncomfortable. At Galway Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation in Oranmore, Galway, physiotherapy can play an important role in reducing hip pain, improving strength and helping you return to normal activities.
What Is Trochanteric Bursitis?
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between tissues around a joint. At the outside of the hip, irritation of the trochanteric bursa can contribute to pain and tenderness around the greater trochanter.
However, modern understanding of lateral hip pain recognises that greater trochanteric pain syndrome can involve the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus tendons as well as the bursa. Symptoms commonly include pain over the outside of the hip, particularly when lying on that side, walking, climbing stairs or undertaking activities that load the hip.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
1. Accurate Assessment
The first step in physiotherapy is identifying what is contributing to your hip pain. Your physiotherapist can assess hip strength, movement, walking mechanics, flexibility and activity levels while also considering other potential causes of hip or lower back pain.
This helps ensure that your rehabilitation programme is appropriate for your individual symptoms rather than simply treating the painful area.
2. Reducing Pain and Irritation
Physiotherapy can help you understand which activities or positions may be aggravating your symptoms. Temporarily modifying activities that place excessive compression or load through the outside of the hip can help settle irritation while rehabilitation progresses.
Your physiotherapist can also advise on practical strategies for sleeping, walking, exercise and returning to work or sport.
3. Improving Hip and Gluteal Strength
Weakness of the muscles around the hip, particularly the gluteal muscles, can contribute to increased load through the lateral hip. A progressive strengthening programme can help improve hip stability and load tolerance.
Exercises are individually prescribed and gradually progressed as your symptoms improve. Evidence-informed physiotherapy guidance supports strengthening the hip muscles while managing positions that aggravate compression around the lateral hip.
4. Improving Movement and Function
Physiotherapy is not simply about reducing pain. The ultimate aim is to help you return to the activities you enjoy. Rehabilitation can focus on improving walking, stair climbing, squatting, running, sporting activities and other movements that may have become difficult.
5. Preventing Recurrence
Once symptoms improve, continuing to build hip and lower-limb strength can help improve your capacity to cope with everyday and sporting demands. Your physiotherapist can develop a long-term exercise programme tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
Physiotherapy for Trochanteric Bursitis in Oranmore, Galway
If you are experiencing persistent pain on the outside of your hip, Galway Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation in Oranmore, Galway can provide a personalised assessment and rehabilitation programme.
Physiotherapy can help you understand the cause of your symptoms, manage irritation, improve hip strength and progressively return you to normal activity.
If lateral hip pain is affecting your walking, sleep, exercise or quality of life, contact Galway Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Oranmore, Galway, to arrange an assessment and take the next step towards recovery.