An Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine Practice

An Interventional Pain & Sports
Medicine Practice

What is Trochanteric Bursitis? | Barr Center | Virginia Beach, VA

It is the inflammation of the large bursa located on the upper, outer region of the thigh bone (femur) called the greater trochanter. It is an attachment point for rotator muscles that move the hip joint. The bursa overlying the trochanter can become irritated, resulting in hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis). It can affect anyone, but is more common in women and middle-aged or elderly people. It is less common in younger people and in men.

Where is the Trochanteric Bursa located?

How does the Trochanteric Bursa become inflamed?  It can become inflamed from friction, direct trauma or overuse/Repetitive stress to include: Running, walking, cycling and prolonged standing or sitting.

Other conditions that can cause trochanteric bursitis:

  • Hip injury. An injury or sustained pressure to the Trochanteric region of your hip:
    • Fall onto your hip
    • Bump your hip on the edge of a table
    • Lying on one side of your body for an extended period of time
  • Spine issues that typically alter body mechanics and the way the individual walks
  • Leg-length inequality. Irritation of a hip bursa can occur with leg length discrepancies which affect the way you walk.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. Increases the risk of inflammation in the bursa
  • Bone spurs or calcium deposits which can develop within the tendons that attach to the trochanter and irritate the bursa causing inflammation.
  • Tears or inflammation of tendons (gluteus medius or gluteus minimus) which attach to that site
  • Posture/gait: Any problems in the limb that alter gait or joint mechanics

What are the symptoms of Trochanteric Bursitis?  The main symptom of hip bursitis is pain over the trochanter (point) of the hip extending over the upper/outer region of your thigh. Pain is typically localized in the hip region, but it can radiate to the groin and knee. In the early stages, the pain is usually described as sharp and intense around the hip or lateral thigh. Later, it may feel like a diffuse aching.

Typically, the pain is worse:

  • At night when lying on the affected hip
  • When getting up from a chair after being seated for a while
  • During prolonged walking, stair climbing, or squatting.

How is Trochanteric Bursitis diagnosed?

  • X-rays
  • MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) can also identify bursitis
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

How is Trochanteric Bursitis treated?

Your provider will do a thorough evaluation, ask about your symptoms and examine the affected region.

  • Modification of activities—avoiding the activities that worsen symptoms
  • Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
    • Use NSAIDs cautiously and for limited periods. Talk with your doctor about the NSAIDs you use.
  • Use of a walking cane or crutches for a week or more when needed
  • Physical Therapy
    • Instruction in how to stretch your hip muscles and use other treatments such as ice,
  • Corticosteroid injections with a local anesthetic performed under Ultrasound guidance.
    • This is an injection into the bursa. Typically long lasting relief is achieved when combined with lifestyle changes. If pain and inflammation do return, another injection may be considered.
  • Surgical intervention
    • Surgery is rarely needed for hip bursitis. If the bursa remains inflamed and painful after all nonsurgical treatments have been tried, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the bursa. Removal of the bursa does not hurt the hip, and the hip can actually function normally without it.

How can Trochanteric Bursitis be prevented?

Avoidance of behaviors and activities that inflame the bursa will help to prevent the occurrence of hip bursitis. Avoid repetitive activities that put stress on the hips. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Maintaining proper weight. Lose weight if needed to decrease stress on the hip joint and the bursa.
  • If there is a leg length difference, wear an appropriate fitted lift in your shoe
  • Exercise regularly to maintain strength and flexibility of the hip muscle.
  • Optimize your gait mechanics.

Can the Barr Center Help You with Hip Pain Relief?

Call us at 757-578-2260 or email us at Info@BarrCenter.com to get started on relieving your hip pain. To learn more about the anatomy of the hip and the causes of hip pain, visit our blog articles below for more information.

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Other pain management conditions we treat are: Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Back Pain, and Knee Pain.   We often use Regenerative Medicine and Physical Therapy in our treatments.

INNOVATIVE PAIN & REGENERATIVE THERAPIES
INNOVATIVE PAIN & REGENERATIVE THERAPIES
Expert care for spine, joint, nerve, sports injuries, and chronic pain.

Find Relief From the Conditions Holding You Back

Dr. Lisa Barr is a leading pain management physician in Virginia Beach with over 35 years of experience diagnosing and treating spine, joint, nerve, and musculoskeletal pain. As a Board Certified PM&R specialist, she focuses on whole-body, non-surgical solutions that uncover the true root cause of pain. She is also the international bestselling author of Outsmart Your Pain and one of the region’s most experienced experts in regenerative medicine, PRP, and advanced biologic therapies.

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OVERVIEW

The Barr Center for Innovative Pain and Regenerative Therapies, led by Dr. Lisa Barr, is dedicated to helping people in pain. With over forty years of experience, Dr. Barr and her staff offer a range of evaluation and treatment options, including osteopathic assessment, trigger point injections, prolotherapy, and regenerative therapies. They prioritize a caring atmosphere and involve patients in their own care, ensuring they understand the recommended treatments. If necessary, they collaborate with other professionals to provide a comprehensive approach. Dr. Barr’s expertise has been recognized with the Top Doc award for thirty years.

FAQ

Pain Management and Treatment

The Barr Center for Innovative Pain & Regenerative Therapies is located at:

933 First Colonial Road, Suite 200
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Phone: 757-578-2260
Email: info@BarrCenter.com

Monday–Thursday: 8:30 am–5:00 pm

Friday: Closed (note: physician on call)

Not always. Some insurance plans—especially HMOs—require a referral before seeing a specialist. To confirm what your specific plan requires, call your insurance provider or contact our office at 757-578-2260.

We accept most major insurance plans (except Medicaid). If your plan requires a referral or pre-authorization to see a specialist, you will need one for your first visit. After your initial consultation, our office obtains any future pre-authorizations, sometimes with assistance from your referring provider. Visit our Patient Resources page for details.

Yes. We offer telemedicine visits for certain appointment types, including follow-up visits and treatment discussions. Some procedures require in-office evaluation, and our team will help determine whether a virtual visit is appropriate.

Conditions and Treatment Questions

Led by pain management specialist Lisa Barr, M.D., the Barr Center provides comprehensive musculoskeletal and pain treatments including:

• Acupuncture
• Mind-body medicine and lifestyle optimization
• Interventional spinal procedures
• Sports medicine
• Physical therapy
• Regenerative medicine (PRP, prolotherapy)

We treat a wide range of pain and musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Neck, shoulder, hip, back, and knee pain
• Sports injuries and repetitive strain conditions
• Posture, sleep, and movement-related pain
• Car accident injuries, including whiplash

Our approach provides proven alternatives to surgery and long-term medications through targeted injections, hands-on physical therapy, acupuncture, lifestyle guidance, and regenerative medicine.

If your pain is persistent, recurring, or limiting daily activities, it is time for an evaluation. We assess how your joints move, how your muscles function, and whether lifestyle factors are contributing to your symptoms.

We offer a comprehensive, root-cause approach to pain in a boutique practice setting.

Our team is highly specialized, and we combine interventional pain medicine, regenerative therapies, physical therapy, and whole-person care—all under one roof.

Our team includes board-certified physicians, licensed physical therapists, regenerative medicine specialists, acupuncture providers, and experienced clinical support staff with focused expertise in musculoskeletal medicine and pain management.

Preparing for your First Appointment

To help make your first visit efficient, please bring:

• Photo ID
• Insurance card
• Referral (if required by your insurance)
• Completed new-patient paperwork
• Co-pay, if applicable

If you have MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or lab results, please have your referring provider fax them to our office. You may also download our Medical Records Request Form to expedite the process.

Experiencing Pain? Reach Out For Medication-Free Treatment