Trochanteric bursitis is also called greater trochanteric pain syndrome. It is a common cause of pain in the hip, and it is often misdiagnosed as hip disease or lower back pain.
Trochanteric bursitis is more common in women than in men. It most often occurs in people between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. It can also be a cause of hip pain for younger people, especially runners.
It is usually caused by stresses at muscle insertions on the greater trochanter, leading to inflammation. This microtrauma results in degenerative changes of tendons, muscles or fibrous tissues. The painful bursa occurs due to friction between the trochanter and the overlying iliotibial band.
Conditions associated with trochanteric bursitis include osteoarthritis of the hips, lower back or knees, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, obesity and fibromyalgia.
