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A Pain in the Hip...could it be bursitis ?

Areyou experiencing ongoing hip pain?

Definition: Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa (Figure 1) caused by repetitive use, trauma, infection, or even systemic inflammatory disease. Bursa are flattened sacs that serve as a protective buffer between bones and overlapping muscles (deep bursa) or between bones and tendons/skin (superficial bursa). Humans have approximately 160 bursa. Bursitis most commonly affects the subacromial (shoulder), olecranon (elbow), trochanteric (hip), prepatellar (knee), and infrapatellar (knee) bursa. Symptoms of bursitis may include localised tenderness, oedema, erythema, and/or reduced movement.

Inflammation causes synovial cells to multiply and thereby increases collagen formation and fluid production. A more permeable capillary membrane allows entrance of high protein fluid. The bursal lining may be replaced by granulation tissue followed by fibrous tissue. Haemorrhage may occur.

Cause/ Risk factors: Bursitis

  • Chronic overuse or repetitive use

  • Traumatic injury

  • Bacterial infection

  • Gout, pseudogout

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • May need to have a differential diagnosis with septic arthritis, ligamentous injury, fracture or osteoarthritis.

Signs and Symptoms: Bursitis

  • Localised pain aggravated by movement

  • Abrupt onset of pain in acute bursitis

  • Localised swelling

  • Localised tenderness

  • Erythema

  • Fever, swelling, and increased temperature of the overlying skin (septic bursitis)

Core Treatment: Bursitis

1) Assess the cause, whether:

  • Repetitive bursa irritation (from a repetitive movement or excessive pressure)

  • Traumatic injury, leading to inflammation

  • Systemic disease

2) Manage inflammation - pain, redness, swelling and promote resolution

Natural anti-inflammatories help with Acute relief of pain, swelling, flares of autoimmunity


  • High Potency Anti-inflammatory Herbs - Acute: 1 tablet every 2 hours (up to 6 tablets daily)

  • Meta Mag Magnesium Bisglycinate, Corydalis and California Poppy for Pain - 1 serve twice daily

  • Specialised Pro-Resolving Mediators[1] - 1 capsule twice daily

If pain is chronic:

  • Highly Bioavailable Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) With Endocannabinoid Action - 1 capsule twice daily


If bursitis is caused by infection


  • High Bioavailability Zinc with Vitamin C - 1 serve (1/2 scoop) daily with food

  • Cordyceps, Coriolus and Reishi for Immune Stimulation - 1 serve three times daily


Antimicrobial to address systemic or unidentified infection:


  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Control - 2 capsules twice daily with food


Additional support for joint repair – optional if with other chronic joint problems


  • Gelatin Complete Joint Restore Powder - 1-2 scoops daily

OR

  • Connective Tissue Maintenance - 1-2 tablets three times daily