Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Bursitis)
BURSITIS
Inflammation of a Bursa
- Localised pain and tenderness
- Pain with movement or pressure
- Swelling may occur
Accurate assessment can identify the cause of your symptoms and guide appropriate treatment.
What is Bursitis?
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between tissues around joints. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes irritated and inflamed, resulting in pain, tenderness and sometimes swelling.
Bursitis can occur around several joints and is commonly seen around the shoulder, hip, elbow and knee. Symptoms may develop following repetitive activity, increased loading, direct pressure or injury, although sometimes there is no obvious trigger.
Condition: Bursitis
Common Age: Can Affect Adults of Any Age
Symptoms: Pain, Tenderness, Swelling
Affected Area: Commonly Shoulder, Hip, Elbow & Knee
Treatment Options: Assessment, Activity Modification, Physiotherapy, Corticosteroid Injection*
Recovery: Often Improves Within Several Weeks
Appointment: Specialist Musculoskeletal Assessment
*Where clinically appropriate and after appropriate assessment.
Symptoms & Treatment
Symptoms typically include localised aching pain and tenderness around the affected area. Pain may increase with movement, pressure on the area or particular activities, and some types of bursitis can cause visible swelling or warmth.
Treatment depends on the location, underlying cause and severity of symptoms. Management may include temporary activity modification, advice, rehabilitation and treatment of contributing factors. Where symptoms persist despite appropriate conservative management, corticosteroid injection may be considered following clinical assessment. Steroid injection should not be performed where infection is suspected.
Treatment Benefits
Treatment aims to settle pain and irritation, restore comfortable movement and allow a gradual return to normal activities.