Mum's Pain and Discomfort

So I was wondering what I would write about this morning and while on Facebook I see a post from my sister about mum, so that is what I am going to write about this morning my mum or more to the point her pain and suffering.

For the last few months mum has been in a great deal of pain, first with her knees and then from what she thought was problems with the sciatica.

Well it turns out the problem is something called Trochanteric bursitis which is an inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac near a joint) at the outside (lateral) point of the hip known as the greater trochanter., understand that, yeah me too. Well when this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes pain in the hip. This is a common cause of hip pain

Trochanteric bursitis typically causes the following symptoms:

• Pain on the outside of the hip and thigh or in the buttock.
• Pain when lying on the affected side.
• Pain when you press in on the outside of the hip.
• Pain that gets worse during activities such as getting up from a deep chair or getting out of a car.
• Pain with walking up stairs.

All of which mum suffers from.

What causes trochanteric bursitis?

Well it seems it is caused by things like an injury to the point of the hit such as falling onto the hip bumping the hip or even lying on ones side for too long. It can also be caused by running up stairs, climbing or standing for long periods of time trust me mum doesn't do any of those things. Bad posture can also be a cause as well as stress on the soft tissues as a result of an abnormal or poorly positioned joint or bone which can be caused by arthritis of the lower spine and other spine problems, mum has arthritis running the length of her spine. It can be caused by other deceases or conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and thyroid disease none of which mum has. Another cause is hip bone spurs or calcium deposits which would not surprise me if mum has. Bursitis is more common in women then men and in the middle-aged or elderly, all that said there are times when the cause of a persons trochanteric bursitis may be unknown.

How is trochanteric bursitis treated?

Treatment usually includes reducing pain and inflammation, while preserving mobility, and preventing disability and recurrence. Treatment recommendations may include a combination of rest, splints, heat, and cold application. More advanced treatment options include use of anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections which mum may have when she has the ultrasound on Monday. She is also having physio on the area. If all else fails there is surgery.

Most cases of bursitis improve without any treatment but that isn't the case with mum.