Home care for hip bursitis may include:

• Apply cold compresses:
• Wrap ice in a moist hand towel. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 4 hours, for the first few days.
• Apply warm compresses:
• After a few days of cold compresses.
• Rest the leg:
• Use a walker.
• Use crutches.
• Use a cane.
• Perform hip stretching exercises
• After the pain has resolved
• Acetaminophen for pain
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain:
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, NeoProfen)
• Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)
• Take prescribed medications as directed:
• Don't skip doses of your medication. This makes them less effective.
• Be aware of the common side effects that may be caused by your medication.

Medications commonly used to control pain and inflammation in adults with hip bursitis include:

• Acetaminophen
• Controls pain, but has no anti-inflammatory properties
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Ketoprofen
• Narcotic pain medications:
• Require a doctor's prescription
• Generally reserved for moderate to severe pain or severe pain

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Adult dosing is 2 regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours or 2 extra-strength (500 mg) every 6 hours.
• Maximum dose is 4,000 mg per day.
• Avoid this drug if you have alcoholism, liver disease or an allergy to the drug. See the package instructions.
• Common brand names include Tylenol, Panadol, and many others.

• Aspirin decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is two regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours with food.
• There are numerous products that contain aspirin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours.
• Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day without a doctor's recommendation.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200 or 220 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Aleve.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ketoprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 12.5 mg every 4-6 hours with food.
• Do not exceed 75 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Orudis KT.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Avoid using alcohol when taking any of these medications.
• Do not mix prescription and non-prescription NSAIDS unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• NSAIDS can interact with other blood thinners, such as Coumadin, and cause bleeding complications.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you have a history of:
• Allergy to aspirin
• Asthma
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Stomach ulcers
• Esophageal ulcers
• Bleeding problems
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease

Some patients with hip bursitis may benefit from the use of a cane, if you have difficulty walking due to hip pain. If you are elderly, a cane might allow you to perform normal activities without assistance.

Proper Cane Length
The handle of your cane should reach to the crease in your wrist when you stand upright and the end of the cane is resting on the floor.

Using a Cane
Hold the cane in the hand on the opposite side of the leg that needs support. With the cane, you can support some of your weight with your opposite arm. For example, if your left leg needs support, you should use the cane with your right arm. When you step with your left leg, the cane and your left leg should be on the ground at the same time, and you should support some of your weight with the right arm.

Follow these steps:

• Position your cane one small stride ahead and step forward onto the bad leg. Place weight on your bad leg and the arm that is supported by the cane. Your elbow should be slightly bent as you support your weight.
• Step forward with the good leg.

• Grasp the handrail with the hand that is on the same side as the bad leg.
• Place your weight on the bad leg and on the arm that is supported by the cane.
• Step up to the next step with your good leg.
• Transfer your weight to the good leg.
• Move the cane and the bad leg to the step where you placed the good leg.
• Support and stabilize yourself with your legs, the cane, and the handrail before moving to the next step.

• Grasp the handrail with the hand that is on the same side as the bad leg.
• Place your weight on the good leg.
• Place your bad leg and the cane on the step below.
• Transfer your weight to the bad leg and the arm supported by the cane.
• Move the stable leg to the step where you placed the cane and the bad leg.
• Support and stabilize yourself with your legs, the cane, and the handrail before moving to the next step.

Some people with hip bursitis may require more support than a cane or crutches can offer. A walker is much more stable than crutches or a cane.

The handles of your walker should reach the crease in your wrist when you stand upright and the walker is placed on the floor. Moving slowly is important when you use a walker.

Using a Walker

• Place your walker one stride ahead of you. Make sure that all 4 legs of your walker are on the ground.
• Grasp the handles on the walker with both hands. Lean forward and support your weight on your arms.
• Step forward with your good leg. Place your foot in the center of the square that is made by the walker feet.
• Step forward with the other leg.

• Take small steps when you turn.
• In order to sit in a chair, back up until your legs touch the chair. Reach behind you in order to feel the seat and then sit down.
• In order to get up from a chair, push yourself up with your arms and then grasp the handles on the walker.
• Make sure that the rubber tips on the legs of the walker are tightly fastened. Replace the rubber tips if they become worn.
• Do not use your walker to climb stairs.
• Do not use your walker on an escalator.

• Remove small area rugs, electrical cords, spilled liquids or other items that may cause you to slip.
• In the bathroom, install non-slip bath mats, toilet grab bars, a raised toilet seat, shower grab bars, and a shower tub seat.
• Keep needed household items in close reach. Store less used items out of the way.
• Use a backpack, fanny pack, apron or briefcase in order to carry items.

Some patients with hip bursitis will require crutches. You must be able to support your entire weight on one leg in order to use crutches. Crutches allow you to walk without placing any weight on a painful leg.

Proper Adjustment for Crutches

• The top of your crutch should be 1-1.5 inches below your armpit as you stand upright and the crutch rests on the floor.
• The hand grips should be even with your hip joint.
• Your elbows should bend as you use the hand grips.

• Stand on the good leg while using the crutches for balance.
• Hold the bad leg off the floor.
• Begin your step as if you are going to step on the bad leg, but do not place any weight on this leg. Instead, place both crutches in front of you and place your weight on your arms.
• Your arms are supported by the crutches as you grip the crutch handles.
• The crutches should be placed on the floor at an angle away from the side of your body, in a shape like the upright arms of the capital letter, "A."
• Your elbows should bend as you support your weight.
• Gently push off with your good leg after the crutches are firmly planted on the floor. Swing your body forward between the crutches.
• Rest the top of the crutches tightly against each side of your chest and continue to support your weight with your arms.
• Do not rest your armpits on the tops of the crutches. This can cause nerve damage.
• Place your good leg on the floor and allow it to completely support your weight. Swing your crutches slightly away from your body and forward. Place the crutches on the floor to prepare for the next step.
• Focus on where you are walking -- do not look at your feet.

• Stand on the good leg while using the crutches for balance.
• Begin to step on the bad leg, but do not place your entire weight on this leg. Instead, place most of your weight on your arms.
• Your arms are supported by the crutches as you grip the crutch handles.
• The crutches should be placed on the floor at an angle away from the side of your body, in a shape like the upright arms of the capital letter, "A."
• Your elbows should bend as you support your weight.
• Gently push off with your good leg after the crutches are firmly planted on the floor. Swing your bad leg forward between the crutches.
• Rest the top of the crutches tightly against each side of your chest. Continue to support your weight with your arms and the bad leg.
• Do not rest your armpits on the tops of the crutches.
• Place your good leg on the floor and allow it to completely support your weight. Swing your crutches slightly away from your body and forward. Place the crutches on the floor to prepare for the next step.
• Focus on where you are walking -- do not look at your feet.

• Start by supporting your weight with your good leg and both crutches.
• Place your weight on both of the crutches and move your good leg up to the next step.
• Transfer your weight to the good leg.
• Lift the bad leg and the crutches onto the same step where you placed the good leg.
• Support and stabilize yourself with both crutches and the good leg before moving to the next step.

• Start by supporting your weight with your good leg and both crutches.
• Place your weight on the good leg and place both of the crutches onto the next lower step.
• Transfer your weight to both crutches.
• Place the good leg onto the same step where you placed the crutches.
• Support and stabilize yourself with both crutches and the good leg before moving to the next step.

Notify your doctor if you have hip bursitis and any of the following:

• Redness and warmth to the skin over the hip
• Fever over 101 degrees F (38.3 C)
• Shaking chills
• Worsening hip pain
• Worsening hip swelling

Last Updated: Mar 4, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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