Hip pain diagnosed as Bursitis

I suffer from hip pain--especially with cold and humidity. I've managed to better my situation with exercise and stretching. I only need an anti-inflamatory a couple times a month during the winter if I have a flare-up.

She should definitely see her doctor and try to get some physiotherapy, so she can learn what movements to do.

I start early in the morning and have a routine all built up. I'm stiff and achy when I get up. I put on my exercise duds and head for the LR. Turn on the News. I started many years ago with a Jane Fonda workout book. It is light calestenics and stretching. Then I discovered light yoga. I put an old quilt down and do a few simple moves--especially grabbing my knees while on my back and rotating them in circles, alternating directions. Everything should be done slowly. I've found that you need to work and loosen up everything, not just the hips. After over an hour, I'm good to go. I do this 2-3 times a week. Then I swim 2x a week, acquagym 2x a week, Power-walking in the park 3x a week, Yogaflex class 1x a week, and Tai chi class 1x a week.

All this movement keeps me limber and makes it easier to do everything else. It does take time, sigh, old age is what it is. Your sister may not be able to do many movements. I have AO, and have slowed it's advance.

I hope she finds the solution for her. Pain is no fun. I prefer to not depend on meds. Good luck.

rosebarnalice wrote: »

Has she had an MRI to confirm that diagnosis?

The reason I ask is that I was diagnosed with bursitis and minor arthritis in one hip with an x-ray. After 3 months of NSAIDs and some PT, no improvement. The Dr tried cortisone injections which worked for about 3 months but were causing spontaneous bleeding on my arms and neck, and I was sent back to PT

After a particularly bad PT day when I was literally in tears, the therapist said I needed an MRI because I shouldn't have pain like that.

Doc said it was unecessary and game me another injection which lasted only 2 weeksI switched doctors, and 4 months later, after insurance denied it 3 times I finally had the MRI which reveal a substantial labrum tear and also much more extensive arthritis than the old Dr saw on the x-ray.

That was 5 months ago, and I'm getting a new hip for Christmas-- 28 months after my first Dr consult..

Unfortunately, I can't offer much for pain relief. The cortisone injections did some good and some people have relief for up to 6 months. PT for stretching and strengthening did me the most good, but I still experience pain every day. Since I can't do antiinflammatories at all any more without the bleeding problems, I just deal with it the best I can. Some days are better than others, and December 10 can't get here soon enough.

I agree with this 100%. I was told I had bursitis as well. I had old hardware in my hip from a slipped epiphysis as a child. They did a CT with contrast (because my hardware made artifact on MRI) and they found a completely deteriorated labrum, and a flattened femoral head due to arthritis along with a misalignment (dysplasia) that was worse than they’d thought based on the x-ray. I had a replacement in 2015. Best thing I ever did.

@rosebarnalice it’ll change your life.

Diagnosed with hip bursitis not long ago and to begin Dr. suggested Advil and ice and PT. Started PT which has made all the difference as I'm working on not just the hip, but strengthening quads, hamstrings. Helping not just my hip but knees and back. Gentle yoga helps too. Dr. said if all this doesn't help he'll do a cortisone shot which I had years ago for a hip bursitis (not this side) and it helped immediately.

I’m curious how this was diagnosed. If the pain has been persistent for months and NSAIDs haven’t helped then an MRI and Orthopedic referral are warranted. Physical Therapy might be a good idea too.

*Physician Assistant here*

ReenieHJ wrote: »

nooshi713 wrote: »

I’m curious how this was diagnosed. If the pain has been persistent for months and NSAIDs haven’t helped then an MRI and Orthopedic referral are warranted. Physical Therapy might be a good idea too.

*Physician Assistant here*

She had it awhile back and it went away, for the most part. Then it came back with a vengeance as the weather has turned, which has only been a couple of weeks at most. Plus my sister is very inconsistent with taking anything because she detests any kind of pills. She was diagnosed when she had pain the first time and her doctor manipulated the area my sister was complaining about and from that alone, the dr. made the call.

Thank you everybody! I'll make a list of some of these things you've all brought up and see what she says. I wish she'd go back to the dr. and get a referral for an MRI so she'd know for sure what it is. She hurt her back last winter and it took a very long time for that to feel better. I'm wondering if somehow she didn't further injure something else.
@kshama2001 She was a caretaker for her dh; he died in February. But I'm sure rolling him over, lifting his weight by herself at times, didn't help. Plus sleeping for months on the couch.

Has she tried PT? I understand some people don’t like taking medication. She really needs to be sure of her diagnosis imo.

this works really well. i use it for other things besides knees (like bursitis in my hip and back pain) and usually after 3 days once per day the pain is gone. she will need a prescription and her dr may not give it since its not for its intended use.
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-153886-1586/pennsaid-topical/diclofenac-solution-pump-topical/details

she could also try CBD oil (orally) or a topical THC cream (or oral drops if she is ok with taking TCH).

ReenieHJ wrote: »

nooshi713 wrote: »

I’m curious how this was diagnosed. If the pain has been persistent for months and NSAIDs haven’t helped then an MRI and Orthopedic referral are warranted. Physical Therapy might be a good idea too.

*Physician Assistant here*

She had it awhile back and it went away, for the most part. Then it came back with a vengeance as the weather has turned, which has only been a couple of weeks at most. Plus my sister is very inconsistent with taking anything because she detests any kind of pills. She was diagnosed when she had pain the first time and her doctor manipulated the area my sister was complaining about and from that alone, the dr. made the call.

Thank you everybody! I'll make a list of some of these things you've all brought up and see what she says. I wish she'd go back to the dr. and get a referral for an MRI so she'd know for sure what it is. She hurt her back last winter and it took a very long time for that to feel better. I'm wondering if somehow she didn't further injure something else.
@kshama2001 She was a caretaker for her dh; he died in February. But I'm sure rolling him over, lifting his weight by herself at times, didn't help. Plus sleeping for months on the couch.

This is just anecdotal, from personal experience with similar stories by friends, not scientifically supported by evidence I can offer: Having pain in one body region can lead to compensation, i.e., changes in posture or habits to minimize or work around the pain. Compensation results in imbalanced use of the body, which can become habitual. Imbalanced use of the body, in turn, can cause pain in other body regions.

As others have said, PT and manipulation (I like an osteopath) can help, as can massage (from a credentialed massage therapist, not just relaxation massage), and in some cases just cautious exercise/strengthening. There are several types of discomfort/pain, some lasting multiple years, that seem now to be in my past (thankfully) by combinations of these interventions . . . none of which are medications, though some are medical.

I know this might be over simplifying... I have had 2 episodes of bursitis in my entire life. They both happened in 2014, six month apart. I took NSAIDs both times. The eyeopener is that I was wearing the same pair of running shoes both times. They were expensive shoes. The first time was after a 5k and the second time was after a six-day, all day, seminar. I gave the shoes to my sister who had no issues with them, whatsoever. I told her about the bursitis. For me, it was as simple as changing my brand of shoes😉. I am even more active now, and have never had another episode.

I can truly feel the intensity of your problem. My sister has dealt with the same issue, wherein she felt relief with the treatment but pain comes back with all its might the day treatment gets stopped. She then consulted a registered massage therapist who's treatment was finally worth it. She is completely satisfied with the treatment. In my opinion, it would be apt if you consult a registered massage therapist. I believe it would definitely cure you!