Trochanteric Bursitis

[Mumandnanaandwife]

I have been diagnosed with trachanteric bursitis and have had this for quite some time. I have been given codeine, then tramadol, morphine patches and now gabapentin and naproxen which help a bit. The pain goes down to my knee and walking is excruciatingly painful. Even if my clothes touch that leg it is sore and hurts.

I am off work with depression due go this and have even considered self harming to take me mind off the constant pain.

Has anyone experienced this and if so, any suggestions or advice (I know you can't give medical advice) would be great.

Have you been referred to a physio? I have had this twice, the second time I had two bursas. I was referred by my physio to a consultant rheumatologist who gave me a steroid injection which worked. The second time (last year) I went to a sports medicine practice, paid for a private MRI & that’s when we learned I had it twice plus a tear at the front of my leg. I had another steroid injection, rested and then built back up to running. I’ve done two trail half marathons since then.

I’m late 50s for reference & the episodes were 10 years apart. I think it’s when I don’t do enough glute work and rely too much on my quads. The first time it flared up I had an extended period of time when I didn’t walk anywhere, just did the bare minimum as it was so painful.

Have you been referred for a cortisone injection? What about physio?

The physio gave me exercises to loosen the tendonopathy and then build up the muscle tone. But the most effective relief was the massage bit from the session - really hurt at the time but was wonderful after. Any level 4 qualified sports masseuse could do that bit.

I've gone from naproxen and amyltriptiline and codeine and hot water bottle to just the odd ibuprofen in the night, just from doing the exercises - after a year of constant pain it's been so amazing I might not even book the cortisone jab if it ever comes to fruition.

I have had an injection but unfortunately it hasn't helped at all. I am on 1800 of gabapentin and naproxen. I am doing physio and walking with a stick. I have an actual face to face with the gp today and I am going to ask to be referred to a specialist.

I had this 4 years ago. I could not put my leg to the floor to move and sleeping was v painful. In the end, a steroid injection helped. It took three weeks to have an effect. The same pain returned after about two years. I requested another steroid injection. That too worked. No real issues since. By chance, I saw a consultant in A&E, after a myriad of painkillers given by my gp failed to relieve the pain. He said that the steroid injection was needed. And that GTPS was one of the most painful of conditions.

Hi @Mumandnanaandwife how are you doing now?

I have a suspected diagnosis of the same, but an xray has also found I have hip dysplasia, so I'm awaiting an MRI before they do anything else. It's been 3yrs of physio weightloss and nothing has helped - I'm expecting a steroid injection in due course...

I had this. The solution was a steroid injection. Then another 6 months later. It worked within two weeks, after suffering and trying other prescribed drugs, as you describe.

Have you had a scan or an xray?
I was wrongly diagnosed with bursitis for many years when it was in fact severe osteoarthritis.