HIP CONDITIONS
Trochanteric Bursitis
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A bursa is a small, synovial fluid-filled sac. There are more than 150 bursae throughout the body, and they provide a cushioning between the bones and tendons/muscles surrounding our joints. Healthy bursae provide lubrication to joints, allowing for smooth gliding and painless movement.
Bursitis is the inflammation of these bursae, due to irritation or infection. When the bursae become inflamed, they swell with fluid and put pressure on the joints. This results in painful or restricted movement of the joint, as well as muscle stiffness. Shockwave therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment option for bursitis, as an alternative to corticosteroid injections or in conjunction with home training strategies.
In a systematic review by the British Medical Bulletin, it was found that 4 months after treatment began, 34% of home training patients, 49% of corticosteroid patients, and 64% of shockwave patients had returned to previous levels of activity. Furthermore, 15 months after treatment began, these numbers had improved to 74-80% for shockwave and home therapy, a drastic improvement on corticosteroid injection patients at only 48%. Shockwave therapy is becoming an increasingly attractive long-term recovery option for bursitis pain.
Bursitis is the inflammation of these bursae, due to irritation or infection. When the bursae become inflamed, they swell with fluid and put pressure on the joints. This results in painful or restricted movement of the joint, as well as muscle stiffness. Shockwave therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment option for bursitis, as an alternative to corticosteroid injections or in conjunction with home training strategies.
In a systematic review by the British Medical Bulletin, it was found that 4 months after treatment began, 34% of home training patients, 49% of corticosteroid patients, and 64% of shockwave patients had returned to previous levels of activity. Furthermore, 15 months after treatment began, these numbers had improved to 74-80% for shockwave and home therapy, a drastic improvement on corticosteroid injection patients at only 48%. Shockwave therapy is becoming an increasingly attractive long-term recovery option for bursitis pain.
Piriformis Syndrome
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The piriformis is a flat muscle located in the buttocks, near the top of the hip. It is important for rotating the legs away from the body (abduction), stabilizing the hips, and keeping balanced. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body, starting in the lower back, travelling through the buttocks, and running down the lower leg. This nerve passes in under the piriformis muscle, and in some individuals fibers of the nerve may even pass directly through the piriformis!
When the piriformis muscle is very tight, it may compress the sciatic nerve. This results in tingling, numbness, pain, and tenderness in the buttocks and radiating down the leg. This pain can be triggered from running, sitting for extended periods, or any activity that may activate the piriformis muscle. The pain can be quite debilitating, with some individuals reporting an inability to sleep or find a comfortable stance. Often times there are issues in both the low back and in the piriformis and this can lead to compression of the nerve in more than one location.
Additionally, trigger points (small knots in muscles that send or “refer” pain to other areas of the body) can cause symptoms similar to that of sciatica or piriformis syndrome.
Thankfully all our therapists at Granville Physio will be able to find the true cause of your pain. Your therapist will be able to use shockwave therapy and tailored exercises to relieve the compression on the sciatic nerve, which means no more pain! In fact, studies have shown that in some cases, a complete absence of pain and symptoms are reported after only four sessions!
When the piriformis muscle is very tight, it may compress the sciatic nerve. This results in tingling, numbness, pain, and tenderness in the buttocks and radiating down the leg. This pain can be triggered from running, sitting for extended periods, or any activity that may activate the piriformis muscle. The pain can be quite debilitating, with some individuals reporting an inability to sleep or find a comfortable stance. Often times there are issues in both the low back and in the piriformis and this can lead to compression of the nerve in more than one location.
Additionally, trigger points (small knots in muscles that send or “refer” pain to other areas of the body) can cause symptoms similar to that of sciatica or piriformis syndrome.
Thankfully all our therapists at Granville Physio will be able to find the true cause of your pain. Your therapist will be able to use shockwave therapy and tailored exercises to relieve the compression on the sciatic nerve, which means no more pain! In fact, studies have shown that in some cases, a complete absence of pain and symptoms are reported after only four sessions!
