What is Trochanteric Bursitis?

Trochanteric bursitis (TB) is a common problem seen by sports medicine practitioners, affecting as many as 5.6 patients per 1000 adults.1

Sometimes described as “greater trochanteric pain syndrome,” TB is characterized by chronic lateral hip pain exacerbated by active abduction, passive adduction, and direct palpation.1,2 The iliotibial band (ITB) and fascia lata act as a lateral tension band to resist tensile strains on the concave aspect of the femur 3 and is often implicated as the source of TB. Gluteus medius tears, also referred to as the “rotator cuff tears of the hip,” are found in up to 22% of elderly patients and may also be an underlying cause of lateral hip pain.4 Although the incidence of TB is highest in middle-aged to elderly adults,5 the etiology is multifactorial and TB can affect patients of all ages.

Recurrence is common with TB, and patients frequently undergo multiple courses of nonoperative treatment, experiencing only temporary and incomplete pain relief. For severe refractory cases, multiple small case series in the recent literature have described surgical options for TB. Surprisingly, there are relatively few high-level studies examining the efficacy of operative and nonoperative treatment of this often minimized yet troublesome condition. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on patient satisfaction and functional outcome after different treatment modalities for TB and refractory TB.

Lateral hip pain is a common complaint addressed by physiotherapists, orthopedists, sports medicine specialists, and primary care physicians. Although it can arise from numerous different underlying acute and chronic pathologies, it is frequently diagnosed as TB and almost universally treated initially with conservative measures. Nevertheless, it can be a frustrating syndrome to patients and clinicians alike, and many are unaware of the availability and efficacy of more advanced therapeutic options. The challenging nature of accurately diagnosing TB as a cause of lateral hip pain is undeniable.

The Evidence for Treatment:

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Surgical Outcomes:

Surgical treatment has demonstrated success. There are several options to consider; the least invasive is endoscopic bursectomy, and the most invasive is open osteotomy. Repairing tears to gluteus medius and gluteus minimus has also been shown to be quite beneficial in managing recalcitrant lateral hip pain, and the possibility of such tears as an underlying etiology warrants careful consideration. However, in the reported series, concomitant bursectomy or ITB windowing procedures were performed. This makes it difficult to determine the contribution of the gluteal muscle repair to the overall improvement from the surgery. The most common procedures focus on relieving the tension of the ITB with either longitudinal release or Z-plasty.

References

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