Evidence-based soft tissue rheumatology - III: Trochanteric bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is a term used to name a syndrome that features pain and tenderness over the greater trochanter. Present evidence suggests that in the majority of cases, symptoms result from pathology of the gluteus medius or minimus muscles rather than a bursa. Lower limb length discrepancy, iliotibial band contracture, hip osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis are often mentioned, but no proved as predisposing factors. After a lumbar spine or hip and other local pathology have been considered and clinically excluded, the clinical features of the syndrome, ie lateral location of pain plus characteristic trochanteric tenderness are usually sufficient to reach a diagnosis. Most patients with trochanteric bursitis can be successfully treated with a NSAID, physiotherapy plus a local corticosteroid injection. The few refractory cases are often treated surgically. Disappointingly, none of the therapeutic interventions used in trochanteric bursitis have been validly assessed.