Hi
does anyone else suffer with hip bursitis/ trochanteric bursitis.
bad matressess too hard, makes holidays difficult, going up stairs makes the bursitis flare.
tried 2 steroid injections but it's still there..
I have had it for 3 years now and don't know if it is RA related.
consultant just tells me to do physio exercises ?
any advice would be appreciated..
thanks
I totally empathise with you, its horrible, cant imagine what's its like to have it for so long. I've had 2 instances of it each lasting about 6 weeks and I couldn't even stand easily as just the weight of my leg made me want to cry !
This was before my diagnosis of RA so I personally think it is all part of the inflammatory arthritis process. I was given naproxen which didn't work well and heavy duty pain killers which helped for a short time, was later referred to physio when the initial flare had subsided (there's no way I would let anyone touch it when it was at its worse), personally for me physio i thought made it worse ! My rheumatologist did say building the muscles up around the joint can help, so cycling can be useful so my joints as a whole are fragile so I'd be worried about riding a bike ! Maybe swimming might be good ?
As I said it was quite an acute occurrence of it, it didn't linger for years, I have to be careful and be gentle with my hip, rest when I feel it aching. Maybe if yours has been so long standing physio might be of use ? Have you had any scans to see whats actually going on, can imagine after years of this you'd be worn down by it and it needs to be properly addressed?
Hi, yes maybe some new scans would be a good idea, not been looked at since 2019.
steroid injections helped but did not permanently fix it. I think the hips are constantly inflamed. ice packs help and I made my own matress topper but they flatten out after a while.
but it was thicker than anything I could buy. many thanks
Yes for over 7 years since my hip was replaced. Steroid injections are a short time fix but I live with it.
Hello, I totally hear you. I’m the same, 3 years now. I had a PRP injection that didn’t help and also steroid injections also. Only thing that helps me is proper pain relief, prednisone tablets (I can’t tolerate biologics at present).
I find a heavy heat pack at night helps, I can’t lay on that side and an ice pack helps too, and hot baths. But as a long time RA/Lyme (30+years) the only thing that helps properly is pain relief. I’m on plexia Slow release as well as Plexia IR in the day as needed and 5mg prednisone (and higher if needed).
Please know you’re not alone, lots of hip pain is common the more I read. Sorry you are going through this, sending hugs 
yes, have had it for several years and have had 2 guided injections into it - blooming painful, but worth it. The one thing that has helped though, is buying a topper for my mattress. We went for a thick one (Amazon). It doesn’t make it totally pain free, but definitely a big improvement for sleeping.
Hi. Could you send the link for the topper you got please? I'm looking for a topper to ease my hip,back and shoulders in bed. Does it make your mattress a little softer? I'm lying on top of the winter duvet at the mo. X
I got diagnosed with this yesterday, I am having injections for and starting physio. Just hoping this will help as it really is painful. Hope you get the help you need xx
Two or three steroid injections shifted my hip bursitis.You do need to do so gentle range of motion/physio exercise too
Not too much sitting!!!
Also like me you are over weight try and reduce a bit.
I know that can be a struggle!?!
I have AS, and have suffered this several times. It is an excruciating pain, and like Marionfromhappydays I was unable to weight bear on it, so couldn’t tolerate standing. Thankfully steroid injections did matti more manageable in my case. I was already seeing a physio regularly, who gave me some exercises and recommended swimming.
I first had Bursitis 6 years ago. It was a side effect of RA. Steroid injections work sometimes but for a short time. Gentle exercise does help too so go see physio. Heatpacks when painful help me. Mainly I find putting my legs up above my body for 30 to50 minutes helps too. Just be kind to yourself RA is a dreadful disease. I have a faux sheepskin blanket I fold it in half and lie on it in bed when in flare up it helps my Hips. Sadly after having RA since 2013 and been on many Dmards and Biologics I have come to HATE RA but we have to keep going. x
many thanks, yes I think we all hate RA, it's the toxic meds I hate the most, they cause so many problems in themselves. and apparently I can't get pip to help out, forced to retire before my state pension age. but I would give anything to have my previous strong body back....
Hi Lindyloo2018I is it in both hips, buttocks and upper hamstrings?
Ah bless you, I know its painful. I have pain on both hips, thighs and buttocks. I was seeing an osteopath for weeks and he thought it was fibromyalgia but I wasn't convinced. Saw my rheumatologist on Tuesday and he said it's trochanteric bursitis and referred me to physio.. 7 week wait! I'm going back to my osteopath now that I know what it is and he's going to try percussion shockwave (?) and acupuncture.
I found u/s helped as also did steroid injections, but it's back. all the best
Thanks lindyloo x
get an ultrasound done to report on the inflammation, steroid injections helped me for a short while. swimming also helped but I can't swim at the moment because of a flare
Hi Lindyloo,
I’m sorry to hear that you have had this for so long. I’ve had it for 5 months. It’s stopped me running, walking at times tricky and it’s so painful.
I’ve had a steroid injection which didn’t work. I’ve benn doing physio exercises daily which is helping. I wondered too if it’s RA, though physio & GP say Hip bursitis. I’ve got more physio and last resort is shock wave therapy. Have you heard of this?
You can be referred on NHS, though long waiting list. Goodluck and I hope you recover soon.
Hi Oranemini11 do you have a print out of the pysio exercises at all? Ive got another 6 weeks to wait for my physio appointment. Tooo long lol
get an ultrasound done to report on the inflammation and bursa, steroid injections into the bursa helped me for a short while. swimming also helped but I can't swim at the moment because of a flare. you need to find out if it's a bursa problem or inflammation RA problem..
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