By Enyeribe Ejiogu
There is something very nice and elegant about medical science and doctors, which this intricate branch of knowledge produces. Given the complexity of the tissues and organs of the human body, doctors spend years in medical school, to learn, understand and master how nature forms the different parts of the body and how those parts function and what could make become diseased.
Now talking about the complexity of tissues, which number in the tens of hundreds, medical scientists created a somewhat simple format for naming the plethora of diseases and medical conditions that can afflict the body. So, in most cases, the name of a medical condition could be simply associated with the particular tissue or body part, especially if the problem is an inflammation of that part. For instance, if the appendix becomes inflamed, the patient is said to have appendicitis. Please note carefully that this pattern of naming diseases or medical conditions is just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to identifying them.
Now, a simple hard working father noticed unusual, sharp pain in his hip. Within 24 hours, the intensity grew to the point he had to go home early. A nice colleague called a Bolt driver with her phone, who took him home. And she paid.
All through the night, the painful area was regularly massaged with Aboniki, a popular, strong balm which has methyl salicylate as the active agent. Of course, sleep took a flight from him and the wife as the beloved husband groaned in pain.
The next morning, the man called his doctor and described his symptoms in a series of WhatsApp chats. Having obtained all the information and examination via WhatsApp video call, he told the man: “From your symptoms, I can say you have bursitis.”
‘Burse what? Doctor, what concerns the pain in my hip with the Bursar?’ the man wondered. After all, a bursar is the chief financial officer of an educational institution. The doctor smiled at his patient’s seeming ignorance and then enlightened him. Please read on.. and learn. Happy Sunday.
What is bursitis of the hip?
Bursitis is the painful swelling of bursae. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion your tendons, ligaments, and muscles. When they work normally, bursae help the tendons, ligaments, and muscles glide smoothly over bone. But when the bursae are swollen, the area around them becomes very tender and painful. Trochanteric bursitis is swelling affecting the bursae of the hip.
Bursitis does not only happen in the hip. It can also occur in the shoulder, knee, and elbow joints. Bursitis may be acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting).
Symptoms of bursitis of the hip
Symptoms include joint pain and tenderness. You may also see swelling and feel warmth around the affected area. The pain is often sharp in the first few days. It may be dull and achy later. You may notice it more when getting out of a chair or bed. You may also notice it when sitting for a long time and when sleeping on the affected side.
Acute bursitis usually flares over hours or days. Chronic bursitis can last from a few days to several weeks. Chronic bursitis can go away and come back again. Acute bursitis can become chronic if it comes back or if a hip injury occurs.
Over time, the bursae may become thick, which can make swelling worse. This can lead to limited movement and weakened muscles (called atrophy) in the area.
What causes bursitis of the hip?
Several things can lead to hip bursitis, including the following: repeated overuse or stress of the hip, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout, injury of the hip, infection with bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (or a staph infection), diabetes, spine problems, such as scoliosis, uneven leg lengths bone spurs (bony growths on top of normal bone) on the hip.
How is bursitis of the hip diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms. Sometimes certain tests may be needed to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. These tests may include X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Can bursitis of the hip be prevented or avoided?
You can avoid getting bursitis by not putting too much strain on your hips. Avoid activities that are especially difficult or painful. And take breaks to rest your hips. When you exercise, remember to warm up your muscles and then stretch to prevent injury. If you’re overweight, losing weight can help reduce pressure on your joints, including the hips.
Building strength in your hips with an approved workout routine can greatly reduce your chances of getting bursitis. Ask your doctor what types of exercise are best for you.
Bursitis of the hip treatment
Treatment for bursitis usually involves doing strengthening exercises and stretching. This helps prevent muscle atrophy—and can also be used to prevent bursitis, not just treat it. You should avoid activities that cause pain. Ask your doctor about exercises to help build strength in the area. Your bursitis may affect your ability to function normally. If so, you may need physical therapy to help you move again. This is especially true if you have chronic bursitis.
You can also use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (brand name: Aleve) to relieve pain and swelling. You also may want to use an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling.
If these treatments don’t help, you may need to have fluid taken out of the bursa. Or you may need steroid shots to reduce pain and swelling. Steroid shots are usually very effective in treating bursitis. You may need another shot after a few months.
Surgery is rarely needed to treat bursitis. It’s used only when all other treatments fail. For people who do need surgery, it’s a simple procedure. The doctor removes the bursa from the hip. The hip can function normally without the bursa. Usually, the surgery doesn’t require a long hospital stay. The recovery period is typically short.
Living with bursitis of the hip
If you have chronic bursitis, try to minimize flare-ups by stretching each day to increase range of motion. And avoid activities that you know will result in pain. Repetitive-motion activities are especially bad for bursitis. If you do have a flare up, remember that resting your hip is important. Without proper rest, healing is delayed.
•Adapted from webmd.com
