If rolling onto your side wakes you up with pain on the outside of your hip, trochanteric bursitis could be the reason. At FullRange Spine & Ortho, we’ll help you find out what’s causing your pain and see if non-surgical hip pain treatment makes sense for you.
What Does Hip Bursitis Feel Like at Night?
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions spots where tendons, muscles, and bones move against each other. When the bursa over your outer hip gets irritated, lying on that side can bring on tenderness, burning, or a deep ache.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that hip bursitis commonly causes pain at the outside of the hip that worsens at night, especially when you lie on the affected side. Pain may also flare when you rise from a chair, climb stairs, squat, or walk farther.
Why Does Side Sleeping Make Outer Hip Pain Worse?
Sleeping on your side puts pressure right on the sore spot near the greater trochanter, that bony point on the outside of your hip. Even if you change positions, the area can stay irritated enough to wake you up.
A painful hip at night doesn’t always mean bursitis. Tendon irritation, hip arthritis, an injury, or pain coming from your lower back can feel similar. The pattern helps us narrow things down, but an exam is what really tells us what’s going on.
When Should You Have Outer Hip Pain Evaluated?
If you’ve got some soreness after a tough or unusual workout, it may go away on its own. It’s a good idea to get checked out if the pain keeps coming back, wakes you up at night, or makes it harder to move around like you usually do, though.
Watch for:
- Tenderness directly over the outside of your hip
- Pain when climbing stairs, walking, or rising from a chair
- Outer hip pain at night that repeatedly wakes you
- Symptoms that persist despite changing your activity or sleep position
- Pain that makes driving, working, or exercising harder
When you come in, we’ll check for tenderness, strength, range of motion, and how you walk, along with signs that your back or another part of your hip might be involved. Mayo Clinic notes that a medical history and physical exam often point to bursitis. X-rays can help rule out other causes, and sometimes an ultrasound or MRI helps if things aren’t clear.
What Can Help Hip Bursitis Without Surgery?
The right treatment depends on what’s causing your pain and how much it’s affecting you. Changing your activities, using ice, physical therapy, or medication can all help. If pain and inflammation stick around, your provider might talk with you about an injection.
FullRange offers hip bursitis treatment at six locations across greater Los Angeles. Dr. Roy Nini is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, and he focuses on finding the least invasive approach that fits your needs.
FAQ
Can hip bursitis improve without an injection?
Yes. Many cases improve with changes in activity, ice, physical therapy, or medication. If your pain sticks around, it’s worth getting checked out since another hip or spine issue could be part of the problem.
When does outer hip pain need prompt medical care?
If you’ve had a bad fall or injury and can’t put weight on your leg, get checked out right away. You’ll also want to see a doctor if you notice severe swelling, redness, warmth, fever, or sudden, intense pain.
Schedule a Hip Pain Evaluation in Greater Los Angeles
If hip pain when sleeping on your side keeps waking you up or makes it harder to move, set up a visit with FullRange Spine & Ortho. We’ll help you find out if hip bursitis treatment in Los Angeles can help you sleep better and move with less pain.
Posted on behalf of FullRange Spine & Ortho