Condition guide
Hip Bursitis Treatment and Elbow Bursitis Physio
Bursitis means irritation of a bursa, a small fluid filled sac that lets tendons and muscles glide over bone. The two places people most often notice it are the outer hip and the point of the elbow. Hip bursitis treatment has changed in recent years, because much of the outer hip pain once labelled bursitis is now understood to involve the gluteal tendons as well. A physiotherapy assessment helps work out what is driving your pain and what to do about it. This page is general information rather than a diagnosis, and an assessment is the sensible next step if your symptoms are not settling.
What is Bursitis?
Bursae sit at points of friction around the body. When one is pressed on repeatedly, knocked or overloaded, it can become swollen and painful. At the hip, pain over the bony point on the outside of the thigh is common, and it frequently sits alongside irritation of the gluteal tendons that attach there, sometimes called greater trochanteric pain syndrome. At the elbow, olecranon bursitis causes a soft swelling at the tip of the elbow, often after leaning on it or a knock. Bursitis can also affect the shoulder and knee.
Typical Symptoms
- Pain on the outside of the hip, sometimes spreading down the side of the thigh
- Pain lying on the affected side at night, or on the opposite side with the knees together
- Hip pain climbing stairs, standing on one leg or getting out of a car
- A soft, sometimes tender swelling at the point of the elbow
- Pain when pressing directly on the area or kneeling and leaning
Common Causes & Triggers
- Sudden increases in walking, running or stair climbing
- Sitting with the legs crossed or standing with weight hung on one hip
- Weakness in the hip muscles that control the pelvis on one leg
- Leaning on the elbows at a desk or a direct knock to the elbow
- Occasionally infection or gout, which need medical treatment
How We Treat Bursitis at Bluebell
- 1
A careful assessment to tell outer hip tendon and bursa pain apart from hip joint, back or groin problems, which can feel similar.
- 2
Advice on positions that compress the area, including sleeping with a pillow between the knees and avoiding crossed legs.
- 3
Progressive hip strengthening so the tendons and surrounding tissues gradually tolerate more load.
- 4
For elbow bursitis, protection from pressure and guidance on when the swelling needs a GP rather than physiotherapy.
- 5
Shockwave therapy may be discussed for persistent outer hip tendon pain where the assessment suggests it is suitable.
Honest Recovery Timeline
Outer hip pain often settles gradually over weeks to a few months once the pressure and loading are adjusted and strength improves. Flare ups along the way are common and do not mean the plan has failed. Elbow bursitis from leaning or a knock often settles with protection. Your physiotherapist will review progress with you and explain if a GP opinion would help.
Outer hip pain and related problems
If your pain sits in the groin rather than the side of the hip, our hip pain page and our guide to aching hips and groin may fit your symptoms better. For stiffness linked to wear in the joint, read our osteoarthritis page.
Booking an assessment for bursitis
Appointments are at Warren Road, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham ME5 9RD, with free parking, Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm. Self-refer online or call 01634 757123. If shockwave has been suggested for long standing outer hip pain, our shockwave therapy page explains how suitability is assessed.
When Bursitis Needs Urgent Medical Attention (Not Physio)
- •A hot, red, swollen bursa with fever or feeling unwell, seek same day medical care, as it may be infected.
- •Hip pain after a fall with inability to bear weight, go to A and E to rule out a fracture.
- •Groin pain with a limp that is getting steadily worse, see your GP.
- •Night pain that is constant and unrelated to lying position, with unexplained weight loss, see your GP.
Bursitis — Common Questions
What is the best hip bursitis treatment?
There is no single best treatment. Reducing compression, such as crossed legs and lying on the sore side, and progressive hip strengthening are the main parts of a physiotherapy plan. Your physiotherapist will tailor this to your assessment.
How do you fix bursitis?
Bursitis usually improves by reducing what irritates it and gradually strengthening the surrounding muscles. We cannot promise a timescale, but we will explain what is likely to help in your case.
Can physio help elbow bursitis?
Physiotherapy can advise on protecting the elbow and changing habits such as leaning on it. A red, hot or rapidly swelling elbow needs a GP first, because infection must be ruled out.
Should I stop walking with hip bursitis?
Not usually. Many people keep walking with adjusted distances and pace. Your physiotherapist will help you find a level that does not keep flaring the pain.
Is hip bursitis the same as hip arthritis?
No. Bursitis and tendon pain sit on the outside of the hip, while hip joint arthritis more often causes groin pain and stiffness. An assessment helps tell them apart.