Managing Hip Bursitis Pain

Good morning @gussie. I am an 82-year-old female with similar challenges. About 10 years ago I was introduced to MFR, myofascial release. I am now being treated twice a week for SFN (small fiber neuropathy) occasional right hip bursitis and some pretty invasive aging issues. Have you been introduced to MFR? I want to introduce you to Jennifer Hunter,@jennifer0324. Last week she presented a session on MFR to all of the mentors here on Mayo Connect. She can help you find helpful and current information MFR.

Chris

I have right hip bursitis, now for about a month and a half. This week Physical Therapy did "dry needling" on the muscle at the hip. It has worked wonders. I have less pain and am sleeping better.
My research told me that dry needling has about the same effect as an injection into the joint. Maybe this will help you.

I have had right hip bursitis for about two years. It comes and goes. It started with a rowing machine. Have had three cortisone shots over two years, from an Orthopedic. Only the first one made a difference (I think). After several bouts(getting worse), I finally went to physical therapy. Saw her four times for stretching, exercises and handson massage before she used Leukotape K (sport tape). It immediately stopped my pain (possibly with the massage), for four months. If it reccurred, I self applied (not easy, better if therapy does it) and pain was gone. Something about relieving surface tension of the skin? Everything else I tried, Voltaren, Tylenol or heat didn't work. Maybe Lydocain or Ibuprofen helped. Ice would have some effect, with some delay I think. I have recently had a lengthy reccurrence ( three weeks) after four months without pain. Worst ever. ( I was in the process of moving). Nothing helped until I got back home. In therapy again and it looks to be getting better. My Dr. of Physical Therapy is good and I am also going to get a wearable hip ice pack. Will see how this works. In the past, I was able to ride my mountain bike ten miles three or four times a week without it bothering my bursitis.

Hello
I am having pain in right hip @ hip joint at gluteus medius for 2 years . initial MRI revealed almost full thickness tear of Gluteus minimus . did everything from manual therapy to NSAID , machine therapies like laser / shock wave etc , Rehab exercises nothing worked , rather with time pain got worse . this year in march took one steroid injection , helped for one month then again pain resurfaced , in July underwent stem cell therapy to heal torn tendons , 2 months later pain was more worse , got another MRI - it revealed Full tear of Gluteus medius & retractement of 32 mm
walking with stick since then , if walk without stick then have to limp , nights are more painful . any suggestions what can be done to get rid of it ? so far none of the doctor have been able to get to the root cause of pain !

@satishgarg I don't know if your note is current or from 2024, but will comment: Your MRI w/ diagnosis of full gl medius tear is difficult to treat and painful to live w/ every day and night. Injections don't provide relief/healing, etc. The only surgical option is a gl maximus transfer which orthopedic surgeons (os) will not recommend. There is much published literature targeting this option, most w/ minimal encouragement. A gl transfer is a gamble. You will need to decide on your own if a gl transfer if best, because you would be hard pressed to get a os to agree. There are no guarantees! And the thought of ending up worse off, is unsettling. I speak from your same experience. Yes, you will walk w/ a cane on uneven ground and furniture and door frame walk inside the house. And by late afternoon you are exhausted. It's hard to wear a smile and push yourself to get out from behind the 8-ball. This experience is life changing and to put it more bluntly in the vernacular, it's a kick in the butt. So you have my heartfelt wish for better days. My words are/seem brutal, but true.

@ennaoj44
Hello
I appreciate your honest & true opinion on the issue .
it has been hard & painful to live like this .
O/S says there is no guarantee that first of all surgery ( repair of tendon with stuters & attach with anchor ) will be successful as both tendon & GT (bone ) are weaker after steroid injection & probably will not be able to hold for long , will rapture soon . if it raptures will lead to major surgery - tendon transfer either from TA or GL Maximus . & even after surgery unsure if pain will go away ! am at cross road unable to make up mind & move forward . it is really frustrating

@artscaping
thank you so much Chris for valuable advise .
will try to get in touch with Jennifer hunter & see how it goes .

appreciate your helping gesture .

warm regards
satish

@artscaping thank you so much will check out.

To you, Satishm, and Enna - I am so sorry to hear you have this condition. My first thought was surgery to repair the tear, but it sounds like that is a risky option that may make things worse.

The only advice I have is to apply ice to minimize swelling and pain. I know heat is preferred, but it makes things worse by increasing inflammation.

I'm curious, how did you develop the gl medius tear in the first place?

I wish you and Enna all the best. Your courage is inspiring.

Joe

@heyjoe415
Hi Joe
it happened during exercise session with my trainer , one day while getting priformis stretch he applied more pressure - immediately QL & gluteus minimus got impacted .
did manual therapy , machine therapy , hot packs , cold packs , supplements , nothing worked . over period of time it got worse ( pain in hip ) initial MRI in April 24 showed almost full thickness tear of GL/ Min & tight hamstring.
did whatever rehab advised & therapies from - ultrasonic / IFT / laser / shock wave / needling but nothing worked .
march 25 steroid injection was highly recommended by couple of doctors , took one shot . helped for one month , pain resurfaced with more force !
eventually July first week of 2025 underwent " stem cell therapy " to heal GL/MIN tear
slowly my gait got impacted , walking with lot of limp & increased pain
did another MRI last month & it revealed Full Tera of GL/MD with 32 mm retractment from GT ( bone where it is attached )
here am struck up with no clear path forward .