Trochanteric area pain, the result of a quartet of bursal inflammation

Abstract

Bursitis is quite responsive to therapeutic intervention, once the afflicted area is accurately identified. This is especially notable for some hip complaints. Patients’ use of the term “hip” can relate to anything from the low back to groin to lateral thigh pain. Trochanteric area surface localization of “hip” pain may afford an opportunity for immediate cure. Effectiveness of therapeutic intervention is predicated upon injection of not one or two, but all four peri-trochanteric bursa with a depot (minimally water-soluble) corticosteroid. The term trochanteric bursitis suggests that the inflammation is more focal than what is clinically observed. While easier to express, perhaps it is time to refer to inflammation in this area, naming all four affected bursae.

Keywords: Trochanter, Bursitis, Bursa, Hip, Injection, Corticosteroids, Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone

Core tip: The designation hip pain requires localization to identify effective treatment. Once tenderness is localized to the area of the greater trochanter, it is quite amenable to treatment. However, there are four bursa represented and injection of only one usually does not resolve the problem. Injection of all four with a corticosteroid that is minimally water soluble is required.