Trochanteric Bursitis Pain Relief

[Darkchocolate1]

After six weeks of serious hip pain finally orthopedic doctor diagnosed bursitis. Treatment take hydrocodone for pain and a lidocaine gel topically which also has a long acting ingredient. Given stretching exercises to do at home for the muscle that is next to the inflamed bursa. I have also started having urine leakage. Any other suggestions for pain relief?

Steroid injection into the bursa a month ago gave almost no help at all. Any other suggestions? Is this something I will have from here forward? I have had PMR just over two years now and am taking 14 mg a day. Appreciate any shared experience dealing with this very debilitating condition.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not personally no, sorry. But there are plenty of related posts, you may find nuggets of information in some of those.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Shame about the steroid shot - it worked miracles for me. The other thing I have had that does work very well is extracorporeal shockwave therapy which the local hospital reha department offers for a moderate charge. It isn't an instant cure - the first time I was able to have 3 or 4 treatments in quick succession, each a couple of weeks apart, and by the end it was gone but the second time I had to wait longer for the first treatment and between treatments but after 3 treatments it was just about gone. It might be worth investigating to see if anywhere local to you offers it.

physio-pedia.com/Extracorpo...

Otherwise it is icing, stretching and avoiding the triggers until it calms down, It takes time.

Do speak to the GP about the urinary problems - is it recent? Do you take calcium supplements? Get them to check for a UTI since taking pred can suppress the cystitis part of an infection.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to PMRpro]

Once again thank you for the solid advice. My kidney Dr had me stop taking calcium last November saying I had too much in my system. I worry about my bones but the density test shows normal density. I may have a UTI will check that out. Will check into the shockwave therapy. Best regards.

[Janstr]

I found that orthotics helped me. These were recommended by someone else I know who had hip bursitis. In my case I walked in limping & walked out normally

[Broseley]

I had severe hip pain put down to inflammation and joint effusion. I was referred to physio which was very good, but what really helped (coincidentally) was 40mg pred. Now I'm down to 5.5mg and it's still OK. Fingers crossed.

[Pixix]

I have it, too, & it’s nasty! I’m due to have a steroid injection on Friday (by my local doctor) but my consultant has said I must have no more increases in oral steroids & no more steroid injections. Not sure what will happen. I have acute sciatica on the other side of my body, & tramadol is not helping much. I did try stretching exercises, but I’m experiencing dislocations due to hypermobility & needed to stop stretching! Sorry, nothing helpful, really…but you’re not alone!

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Pixix]

Do you have Ehler-Danilo’s syndrome? That is an another autoimmune disease characterized by hyper mobility.

[Pixix in reply to Karenjaninaz]

probably, my GP thinks it’s likely, & I was referred to a doe us list to find out!

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Pixix]

My grand niece has that(E-DS) and skis in races.

[Pixix in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Sorry about my mis-typing above! There are about 12 different types of EDS, I think. Also, as a child I had this, but was just called double jointed, & thought everybody could put their toe into their mouth & behind your head etc! It’s only in past couple of years it’s caused dislocations & subluxations! I had to stop skiing after a car crash, but did ski for many years with my double jointedness!!

[powerwalk]

I did get a steroid injection for this and it worked well, it lasted better than my back ones. Maybe a bit later, it could be repeated for you, sometimes its hit and miss with them. Sometimes they work good and others its like you shouldnt have even bothered. I get them in my lower back. Hope you find some relief, its very wearing. Is that a prescription lidocaine gel, are you finding it any good?

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to powerwalk]

I have not started the lidocaine gel as yet due to an insurance issue. Will let you know when I get it. I can get another steroid injection in earl May. Thank you for replying. May you walk pain free.

[powerwalk in reply to Darkchocolate1]

Thank you. Good luck with next injection. Fingers crossed.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to powerwalk]

I am now using the lidocaine cream which is a combo with a long lasting anesthesia cream and it is helping somewhat. Not as much as I had hoped but it is allowing me to do some gentle stretching which I could not do before. I hope your pain is minimal. It is a prescription.

[powerwalk in reply to Darkchocolate1]

Thats good. My hip now only acts up sometimes, my back is dreadful. Hopefully your follow up injection will help. Might get a better result. It makes such a difference when you get pain relief. Best wishes.

[Amkoffee]

When I started leaking I went to my doctor and found out I had a UTI. I didn't ever have any burning pain when I peed nor did I have a fever nothing just leaking. So a course of antibiotics and the leaking stopped.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to Amkoffee]

Will contact my GP I may have an infection. Had not thought of that. Thank you for the suggestion.