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Trochanteric Bursitis (1 of 2)
What is trochanteric bursitis?
The trochanter is part of the thigh bone
(femur) that can be felt on the outside
of the upper thigh near the hip and
buttock.
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions
areas of friction between a tendon and a
bone or skin. Like air-filled bubble wrap,
these sacs reduce friction between
moving parts of the body, such as in the
shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel.
When this fluid becomes irritated and inflamed (because of a direct blow
or by large amounts of running), the condition known as trochanteric
bursitis can occur.
If you have trochanteric bursitis, you will have pain over the area of the
bursa, but in severe cases the pain may radiate down the leg. The pain
will usually be brought on by hip movements such as walking, running,
climbing stairs and getting out of low chairs or car seat.
How is it treated?
Chronic (long-term) trochanteric bursitis can be treated with a
corticosteroid injection (a corticosteroid is a naturally occurring
substance which can settle down inflammation).
Treatment aims to settle the inflammation down, after which you can
gradually return to normal activities.
What are the alternatives?
It is very likely that you will have already tried other treatments, such as
pain killers and physiotherapy before being referred for this treatment.
Your consultant will discuss any alternatives available to you.
What are the risks or possible complications?
As with all procedures, there are some risks. Precautions are always
taken to reduce the risks as far as possible, but the following may occur:
• Failure of the procedure to help
• Worsening of pain (temporary or permanent)
Author: D Chapple
Date written: February 2010
Review date: February 2013
Version: 1.0
Code: PI0193
Orthopaedics and Trauma
01722 336262 ext 3532
© Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ
www.salisbury.nhs.uk
Trochanteric Bursitis (2 of 2)
• Bleeding or bruising in the injected area
• Infection in the injected area
• Fat Dimple (a small depression in the skin where you were injected)
• Numbness of the injected area
• Leg weakness
• Allergic reaction to the drugs used.
What will happen?
You will be given a date to come to hospital for the injection. This will take place in the Day
Surgery Unit. You should arrange for someone to bring you to the Unit and to collect you
afterwards.
Before your procedure you will be seen and assessed by a nurse. The procedure will be
explained to you and the nurse will check that you have signed a consent form.
What happens during the procedure?
• You will be asked to lie in a comfortable position.
• A small needle may be put into a vein in the back of your hand. The
consultant will first numb the area with a local anaesthetic injection.
• When the area is numb an injection of steroid will be injected into the painful area.
• Afterward a small dressing will be put over the injection site.
What happens after the procedure?
You will rest in the Unit for about half an hour before being allowed home. You may notice
some numbness or weakness in the injected hip but this should soon wear off. When you
stand up and walk after the procedure, a nurse will help you. You must not drive yourself
home afterwards.
What should I do once I get home?
It is important that you rest for a couple of hours before you start to resume your normal
activities. Most people find that their pain reduces within a few days of the injection. For a
small number of people however, the pain does not change, or can be worse.
If you have any concerns when you get home please contact the Day Surgery Unit on 01722
336262 ext 4554 or contact your GP and tell them that you have had this procedure.
Will I be seen again after the procedure?
An appointment will be made for you to be seen in outpatients 12 weeks after the injection.
Orthopaedics and Trauma
01722 336262 ext 3532
© Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ
www.salisbury.nhs.uk