Hip Muscle Injury
Hip Bursitis: Symptoms and Diagnosis
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Hip Bursitis Exercises To Avoid
The exercises that are best to avoid will depend on the specific bursa that is inflamed. A bursa will be particularly painful if compressed, so depending on where the bursa is will affect what actions and positions compress it.
Trochanteric Bursitis
The bursa will be compressed when the hip is flexed, adducted, or internally rotated. Walking, running, cycling, and many cardio exercise machines, as well as, deep squats, and lateral hip exercises can all aggravate hip bursitis pain because of the compression caused. For similar reasons sitting with crossed legs, standing with a dropped hip, or lying on your side can also be very painful.
Ischiogluteal Bursitis
The bursa will be compressed when the hip is flexed and the bursa is over the seat bone so sitting is a particularly frustrating and awkward activity to avoid. This means any exercises that are seated like a rower, recumbent bike, and some weight machines. Due to deep flexion, avoiding deep squats, bent-over rows, Romanian deadlifts, and sometimes bridging exercises should be avoided.
Iliopsoas Bursitis
The bursa will be compressed with hip extension as well as hip flexion. This particular bursitis is common with sprinters and hill runners as they have to flex the hip further than with flat and slower-paced running. Therefore, sprinting and hill running should be avoided. Deep squats are likely to aggravate as are resisted hip flexion movements.
Hip Bursitis Yoga
Due to the varied positions of yoga, it can be difficult to be black and white about whether it is ok to do or not. It is best not to start yoga if you don’t already do it. If you already regularly practice yoga it is sensible to see how you feel during and after sessions. It may only be necessary to avoid some particular movements or reduce the range in which you go with those that are specifically compressive of the bursa.
Is Cycling Bad For Hip Bursitis?
Cycling is often an aggravating activity for bursitis. Ischiogluteal bursitis will usually be irritated by the compression against the saddle. Trochanteric bursitis may be irritated in some bike positions, especially more aerodynamic or TT positions. But for many people, it is a well-tolerated exercise and can be a good alternative for running.
We are often asked “can I ride a stationary bike with hip bursitis?” and the answer will depend on the particular bursa that is inflamed and the level of irritability of that bursa. The main difference is many static bikes are quite upright so will put more pressure on the seat bones and the ischiogluteal bursa.
Is Walking Good For Hip Bursitis?
Walking can aggravate hip bursitis. In particular if you have a narrow gait or weak lateral gluteal muscles. These are the gluteus medius and minimus, which can control pelvis stability when standing on a single leg. If these are weak you can have a pelvis drop which will adduct the leg and compress the bursa. If these muscles are strong then walking is usually not a major problem.
Can I run with Hip Bursitis?
Similar to walking it mainly depends on the level of irritability, how narrow your gait is and how stable your pelvis is, relating to the strength of the gluteal muscles. Many regular runners will be able to continue running at a modified intensity, frequency, and duration, but if you do not already run it is best to fully recover from bursitis before taking up running.
Physiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments.