Prophylaxis | Bursitis of the hip

Prophylaxis

One of the main reasons for the occurrence of bursitis of the hip is the excessive mechanical load on the respective joint. For this reason, an exact self-analysis of the individual stress on the joint should be carried out when bursitis has occurred. If, for example, a new sport was only started shortly before the inflammation or another physical activity could be the cause of the inflammation, these activities should be avoided or the load should be reduced.

A physical examination by an orthopedic specialist can also be useful, as he or she can measure the legs in order to rule out legs of different lengths as a possible cause. There, a running analysis can also give an indication as to why the inflammation of the bursa has occurred. An orthopedic examination is particularly useful for children, since disorders of the musculoskeletal system can often manifest themselves in bursitis trochanterica at a young age.

If, for example, a physical examination reveals a difference in leg length, an orthotic can be used to eliminate the problem and eliminate the cause of the development of bursitis trochanterica. It is important that at the first signs of bursitis, the affected joint is spared. There is no drug prevention that prevents the occurrence of bursitis trochanterica.

Drugs can alleviate the symptoms and fight an existing inflammation, but they are useless as a prophylaxis before a further inflammation, because they do not treat the cause of the problem but only the symptoms of the disease. To prevent bursitis in the hip, stretching exercises are highly recommended. Even after a healed bursitis of the hip, stretching exercises can help to stabilize the hip joint and thus prevent the bursa synovialis from being overstressed or overstressed.

Gentle stretching exercises can also complement the physical therapy of a mild bursitis. In the phase of inflammation, however, they should only be performed under the supervision of a physician or physiotherapist. Especially for runners it is recommended to do some stretching exercises before training as a prophylaxis.

Below are a few example exercises:

• Exercise: Stretch the hip flexors: Stand upright in a firm position. Now pull one heel towards your buttocks and hold it there with your equilateral hand. Pay attention to a firm belly and push the pelvis forward until you feel a stretching stimulus.

  Hold this position for 30 seconds. Now change the leg. Make sure that your heel does not touch the buttocks.

• Exercise: Stretch the hip flexors and the front of the thighs: imagine a wide step position.

  Support yourself with both palms on the front leg and keep the torso upright. Do not make a hollow back. Take care not to rotate the pelvis.

  Now push the pelvis forward until you feel a stretching stimulus and hold the position for at least 30 seconds. Now change sides.

• Exercise: Stretch the gluteal muscles: lie on your back. Bend your right leg.

  With the right hand you grasp the right knee. With the left hand grasp the right lower leg. Now pull the leg towards the left shoulder so that you feel a stretching stimulus.

  Be careful not to feel any strain in the knee. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Now change sides.