Hip Bursitis in Women and Middle-Aged People - Essay Example

Hip Bursitis Running Head: Hip Bursitis Hip Bursitis Hip Bursitis 2 Most of the sports persons suffer some kind of injuries at some time during their careers. Among such injuries the hip injuries are more prominent and most dangerous one if proper care was not taken. Hip Bursitis is a common hip problem mostly found in sports persons. It affects the hip area and creates lot of pain and swelling at the affected area. This paper briefly analyses the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of hip bursitis. Introduction Hip Bursitis is reported more commonly in women and middle aged elderly people. It is less common among the youths normally. Most of the sports activities require lot of physical activities and hence the chances of injuries for the sports persons are more compared to others. Most of the sports activities require a combinational effort of most of the human body parts. For example, while playing football, the player need to use his legs, hands, head etc. Moreover he needs to do lot of running, kicking, and also some kind of waist twisting for executing certain shots. In all his playing efforts the hip area plays a vital role and hence it more likely to be injured if some of the actions performed using may not be done properly. Hip Bursitis is one of the common problems found especially in sports persons.“The hip/thigh/leg continues to be the area of the body most frequently injured (17.3%), followed by the forearm/wrist/hand (15%), knee (14.5%), and ankle/foot (14.2%).” (NATA Injury Information) Hip Bursitis 3 Hip Bursitis “Hip bursitis is a common problem that causes pain over the outside of the upper thigh. A bursa is a fluid filled sac that allows smooth motion between two uneven surfaces. When the bursal sac becomes inflamed, each time the tendon has to move over the bone, pain results. Because patients with hip bursitis move this tendon with each step, hip bursitis symptoms can be quite painful. A bursa is a closed fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. When the bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is known to as "bursitis. (Shiel) The picture given below shows the Hip Bursitis (Bursitis Hip) Hip Bursitis often creates life difficult for the affected person. Sleeping, walking, climbing stairs like most of the daily activities will be difficult for the affected person. It is Hip Bursitis 4 the bursitis which causes pain on the hip area. Our body is filled with sacs which contain little fluid called bursae. This busae is the mediator between the bones and muscles. It acts as a cushion. While playing or engaged in some kind of physical activities this busae can inflamed due to accidents or over strain. The inflammation of bursae causes pain. “The bony point of the hip is called the greater trochanter. It is an attachment point for muscles that move the hip joint. The trochanter has a fairly large bursa overlying it that occasionally becomes irritated, resulting in hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis). Another bursa located on the inside (groin side) of the hip is called the iliopsoas bursa. When this bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is also sometimes referred to as hip bursitis, but the pain is located in the groin area. This condition is not as common as trochanteric bursitis, but is treated in a similar manner.” Relationship of trochanteric bursa between the iliotibial band and the greater trochanter (Hip Bursitis) Hip Bursitis 5 Diagnosis Hip Bursitis is often diagnosed on the basis of outer hip pain while walking or climbing stairs. The pain usually extends to the outside thigh area. Normally the pain due to hip bursitis is worst at night and when getting up from a chair after being seated for a while. It can be diagnosed even with the physical inspection of the affected area itself. In some cases X-ray tests may be required depends on the severity of the problem. Causes So many reasons can be attributed to hip bursitis. But as per Wei Nathan, MD, FACP, FACR a well known rheumatologist, the main reason can be summarised as follows. •Constant pressure on the hips. This is often caused by standing or sitting on hard surfaces for long periods of time. • Direct, hard hit to the hip. This may happen if there is a fall on the hip. • Health problems such as scoliosis and arthritis. • Infection. • A leg length difference where one of the legs is shorter than the other. This may cause a limp. Hip Bursitis 6 • Overusing the hips. This is caused by doing activities or sports that use the same motions (movements) over and over again. Examples of repeating motions are running, climbing stairs or hills, and pedaling a bicycle. • Past surgeries such as hip arthroplasty, or hip joint replacement. • And sometimes people do not know how they developed hip bursitis.” (Wei) Treatment Hip bursitis can be treated with medicines and in some cases surgery may be required depends on the severity of the problem. For noninfectious hip bursitis, only rest, some anti inflammatory medicines and compressing of the affected area with ice blocks are required. “Occasionally, it requires aspiration of the bursa fluid. This procedure involves removal of the fluid with a needle and syringe under sterile conditions. It can be performed in the doctors office. Sometimes the fluid is sent to the laboratory for further analysis. Frequently, there is inadequate fluid accumulation for aspiration. Noninfectious hip bursitis can be treated with an injection of cortisone medication, often with an anesthetic, into the swollen bursa. This is sometimes done at the same time as the aspiration procedure.” (Shiel) Over weight often creates problems for the Hip bursitis patients. Weight reduction is one way or getting relieved of the pain. Physical-therapy and some kind of stretching exercises can reduce the pain. It is not advisable to exert pressure on the affected area while sleeping. The Hip bursitis with bacterial infection needs further examinations by a Hip Bursitis 7 doctor. The bursal fluid needs to be examined in the laboratory for identifying the bacteria. Such bacterial infected hip bursitis need antibiotics to destruct the bacteria. In some cases if the problem is severe surgical drainage and removal of the infected bursa sac (bursectomy) may also be necessary. (Shiel) Prevention The American academy of orthopedic surgeons, in their article “Hip Bursitis,” suggests the following methods for the prevention of Hip Bursitis Avoid repetitive activities that put stress on the hips. Lose weight if you need to. Get a properly fitting shoe insert for leg-length differences. Maintain strength and flexibility of the hip muscles (Hip Bursitis) Conclusion Hip Bursitis is mainly seen in women and middle aged people. Sports persons also are more volatile to this problem. Though it is not considered as a serious problem, if not treated well it can be worse. Normally some physical activities along with rest and little bit icing on the affected area cures the Hip Bursitis. But in some cases antibiotics and even surgery may be required. Hip Bursitis 8 References 1. Shiel William C. Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, Hip bursitis , Retrieved on February 18, 2009, http://www.medicinenet.com/hip_bursitis/article.htm 2. Bursitis Hip, Retrieved on February 18, 2009, http://arthritis-symptom.com/a-c/bursitis-hip.htm 3. Wei Nathan , MD, FACP, FACR Bursitis hip exercises , Retrieved on February 18, 2009, http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/bursitis-hip-exercises.html 4. NATA Injury Information, Retrieved on February 18, 2009 http://www.nata.org/consumer/injuryinfo/ 5. the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Hip Bursitis,. American academy of Orthopaedic surgeons, Retrieved on February 18, 2009, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00409 Read More