Hip Bursitis: The Real Reason Your Outer Hip Hurts

That Sharp Pain on the Outside of Your Hip — What’s Going On

You stand up, take a few steps, and feel that stabbing or aching pain on the outside of your hip. It may get worse when climbing stairs, walking long distances, or lying on your side at night. That’s a classic sign of hip bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) that cushions the hip joint.

While it’s common, especially for adults over 50, it’s often misunderstood and easily treatable without surgery.

What Exactly Is Hip Bursitis?

Your hip has small sacs of fluid called bursae that reduce friction between tendons and bones.
When one of these sacs — usually the trochanteric bursa on the outer hip becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes pain and tenderness in that area.

Even simple movements like walking or lying on the affected side can aggravate the inflammation and make the pain worse.

Common Causes of Hip Bursitis

1. Overuse or Repetitive Motion
   Activities like climbing stairs, long walks, or standing for extended periods can irritate the bursa.
2. Hip or Back Imbalance
   Weakness, poor posture, or spinal misalignment can change how weight is distributed across the joint.
3. Injury or Fall
   A direct hit or fall onto the hip can trigger inflammation and swelling.
4. Arthritis or Leg Length Difference
   These can cause uneven stress on the joint, increasing irritation.
5. Tight Muscles or Tendons
   The iliotibial (IT) band or gluteal muscles, when tight, rub against the bursa and create friction.

How to Know If You Have Hip Bursitis

The most common symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of the hip or thigh
• Pain that worsens when lying on the affected side
• Tenderness when pressing on the hip
• Pain after walking, climbing stairs, or prolonged standing
• Stiffness when getting up after sitting

If left untreated, inflammation can become chronic, leading to ongoing pain that limits your activity.

Why Cortisone and Pain Pills Don’t Work Long-Term

While cortisone shots or pain medications can bring short-term relief, they don’t stop the underlying inflammation or tissue irritation causing bursitis.
Repeated cortisone use can even weaken the tissue over time, creating more problems later.

The goal isn’t to mask the pain — it’s to help your body heal and restore balance naturally.

A Natural, Non-Surgical Way to Find Relief

At Buffalo Arthritis & Joint Pain Center, we help patients get lasting relief from hip bursitis by addressing the root cause , inflammation and tissue irritation.

Our non-surgical treatments help to:

• Reduce inflammation in the bursa and surrounding tissue
• Improve circulation and mobility
• Support the body’s natural healing process
• Relieve stiffness and discomfort without downtime

Most patients notice significant improvement in comfort and movement within just a few sessions.

Simple At-Home Tips to Help Hip Bursitis

✅ Avoid sleeping on the sore side; use a pillow between your knees to reduce pressure.
✅ Gently stretch your hips daily to keep muscles flexible.
✅ Alternate ice and gentle heat to ease inflammation and stiffness.
✅ Wear supportive shoes to improve hip alignment.
✅ Keep moving! Light walking helps maintain healthy joint fluid circulation.

Get Back to Moving Without Pain

You don’t have to live with nagging hip pain or sleepless nights. With the right treatment, hip bursitis can be relieved naturally without surgery or repeated injections.

👉 Schedule your consultation today at www.painreliefbajc.com
and find out how our non-surgical hip pain treatments can help you move freely and comfortably again.

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