14 Symptoms of Bursitis in the Hip

2. Gradual Pain

You often feel the first signs of bursitis in your hip as a slow, dull ache. The discomfort usually builds up over days or weeks rather than appearing suddenly. At first, it may only bother you after sitting or standing for long periods.

As inflammation increases, the pain can spread from the side of your hip to your outer thigh. Walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side may make the pain more noticeable. Because the discomfort develops gradually, many people initially mistake it for muscle soreness or a mild strain. Over time, the area may feel tender to touch or slightly warm.

The ache can become sharper when you press on the hip or when you move your leg in certain directions. Resting or avoiding repetitive motions may bring temporary relief, but the pain often returns once normal activity returns. If you pay attention to your symptoms, you may notice that certain movements or positions trigger the discomfort more consistently.

3. Pain When Touched

When you have hip bursitis, the affected area often becomes sore to the touch. The pain usually sits on the outside of your hip, near the bony part called the greater trochanter. Even light pressure from clothing or lying on your side can cause discomfort.

This tenderness may feel dull at first but can become sharper with sudden movement or direct pressure on the sore spot. You might notice the pain more after long periods of sitting, standing, or climbing stairs. Direct contact, such as leaning on that side or having the edge of a seat press against your hip, often makes the discomfort worse.

The area can also feel warm or slightly swollen because the fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint becomes inflamed. Touching or massaging the hip often increases the pain rather than relieving it. To reduce discomfort, some people find it easier to rest or sleep on the opposite side.

4. Swelling

Swelling often appears near the side of your hip where the inflamed bursa sits. The bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that helps muscles and tendons move smoothly over the bone. When it becomes irritated, fluid builds up, causing the area to look puffy or enlarged. You may also notice that the skin feels warmer than usual.

The swelling may develop gradually over several days or appear more suddenly if the area is under strain. As swelling increases, it can make movement uncomfortable or create a feeling of tightness in the hip. You might notice the swelling after activities such as walking long distances, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods.

Touching the swollen area may feel tender, and pressing on it can increase discomfort. In some cases, the swelling is mild and appears as a slight bulge. In other cases, it can be noticeable enough to change how your hip looks or how your clothes fit on that side.

5. Pain Through the Back and Legs

Pain from hip bursitis can spread beyond the hip itself. You might feel a dull ache that extends down the outside of your thigh or into your buttock. In some cases, the discomfort travels toward the knee or lower back, making it harder to tell where the pain begins.

This spreading pain occurs when inflamed tissues near the hip irritate nearby muscles or nerves. Certain positions or activities, such as sitting for long periods, lying on the affected side, or climbing stairs can make the pain more noticeable. You may also notice stiffness in your back or legs when standing up after sitting.

The pattern of pain can vary from person to person. Some people notice it more while walking or exercising, while others feel it even at rest. This discomfort is usually deep, steady, and tender to touch rather than sharp or shooting.

6. Night Pain

You may notice hip pain becoming worse at night, especially when lying on the affected side. Pressure from your body weight can irritate the inflamed bursa, making it hard to rest. The pain often feels dull or aching and may spread to the outer thigh.

Night pain can be more noticeable after an active day, long walks, or climbing stairs. As a result, some people wake up several times during the night because of discomfort. Poor sleep from ongoing night pain can affect energy levels and slow recovery. Turning over or lying on the opposite side might help ease the pain, though it may not go away completely.

Using a pillow between your knees or along your side can help reduce stress on the hip. Resting the hip or applying ice packs for short periods before bed may calm the inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medicines may also improve comfort when used as directed.

7. Achiness or Stiffness

You may notice a dull ache around the side of your hip that often starts mild and gradually increases over time. The pain can feel deep in the joint or across the outer hip area. This may worsen after sitting, lying on that side, or standing for long periods.

When hip bursitis develops, irritated tissue around the hip joint can make nearby muscles feel tight. This tightness leads to stiffness and may limit how far you can move your leg. Simple actions such as climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, or bending down can begin to feel harder than usual.

Achiness and stiffness are often more noticeable in the morning or after being still for a while. As you start moving, the stiffness may ease, but soreness can return if you stay active for too long. In some cases, slight swelling or warmth may appear around the painful area, along with tenderness when pressing on the side of the hip.

8. Nausea and Fever

Nausea and fever are not common signs of simple hip bursitis, but they can occur if the bursa becomes infected. This type of infection is called septic bursitis. Bacteria may enter the bursa through a small cut, scrape, or skin infection near the joint.

As the infection develops, the hip may become more swollen, red, and painful to move. The affected area can also feel noticeably warmer than the surrounding skin. These changes can happen quickly, sometimes building up over a few hours or days.

You may also begin to feel unwell. Nausea can reduce your appetite and make you feel weak or tired. A mild or high fever may develop as your body tries to fight the infection. The combination of fever and hip pain may make walking or standing difficult.

9. Changes in Walking Gait

When hip bursitis develops, you might notice that your walking pattern starts to feel different. Aching or stiffness in the joint can cause you to change how you step or shift your weight to avoid pain. These early changes may seem minor at first but can affect balance over time.

You may begin to shorten your stride or walk with a limp on the side of the sore hip. Some people feel weakness that makes it harder to push off the ground, while others notice instability when standing on one leg or climbing stairs. As inflamed bursa and nearby tendons make movement painful, your body naturally adjusts to protect the joint.

Over time, this altered movement can strain muscles in the lower back, thighs, and knees. If gait changes continue without correction, they may increase the risk of muscle fatigue or additional joint strain. You may notice tiredness or tightness in your legs after even short walks.

10. Pain When Getting Up or Sitting Down

You may notice sharp or dull pain on the outer side of your hip when rising from a chair or lowering yourself into a seated position. This happens because the inflamed bursa is near the hip joint becomes compressed during position changes. Movements that place pressure on the side of the hip can make the discomfort worse.

The pain might spread from your hip into the thigh or buttock. Some people describe a catching or pulling sensation when they first stand up. The discomfort often eases after a few steps but can return after sitting for a while. Everyday activities such as getting out of a car or bending to tie your shoes can trigger this pain.

Sitting on hard surfaces may also increase irritation around the hip. To reduce strain, moving slowly when sitting or standing can help. Using your hands for support or holding onto a stable surface may make these transitions smoother and less painful.

11. Pain While Lying on Your Side

When you have hip bursitis, you may feel pain on the outer side of your hip that becomes sharper when you lie on the affected side. Pressure on the inflamed bursa increases irritation and discomfort, which can make it hard to rest or fall asleep.

The pain may feel like a deep ache that spreads down your thigh or toward your buttock. It often becomes worse after physical activity or long periods of sitting. Rolling onto the affected side during sleep can wake you or make it difficult to find a comfortable position.

Certain activities, such as climbing stairs or standing for long periods, may increase the discomfort. Lying on a firm surface or using a thin mattress can also add pressure to the hip area. In some cases, the pain may cause a limp or make movement uncomfortable when you first get up.

12. Treatment

Hip bursitis can often be managed with simple steps at home. Resting the hip helps reduce irritation around the hip joint. Try to avoid activities that make the pain worse, such as climbing stairs or lying on the affected side. Applying an ice pack for about 10 minutes at a time can also help ease swelling and discomfort.

Over-the-counter pain relievers from the analgesic or anti-inflammatory drug classes may reduce pain and stiffness when taken as directed. Once pain begins to improve, gentle stretching or low-impact activities such as walking or swimming can help restore movement. A physical therapist may also teach safe movements that protect the hip and reduce strain.

If symptoms do not improve after a couple of weeks, further evaluation may be needed. Treatments such as a corticosteroid injection into the bursa can help reduce inflammation. If bursitis is caused by an infection, antibiotics may be required. In rare cases where pain continues, fluid may need to be drained from the bursa or surgery may be considered.

13. Risk Factors

Hip bursitis can develop from several everyday habits or conditions. Repeated movements that stress the hip joint, such as running, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods, can irritate the bursa over time. Even simple activities like sitting on hard surfaces can add pressure on the hip and lead to inflammation.

Certain physical conditions may also increase risk. Uneven leg length, arthritis, or back problems can affect how you walk and increase friction around the hip joint. Muscle weakness in the hips or legs can reduce stability and place extra stress on the bursa.

Age is another factor. As you get older, the tissues around your joints tend to lose flexibility, making them more prone to irritation. Carrying excess body weight can also increase strain on the hips and raise the likelihood of bursitis.

Previous injuries to the hip can make the area more sensitive. Surgery or trauma near the joint can increase the chance of swelling in the bursa. In less common cases, infection in nearby tissues may spread to a bursa.

Some jobs and sports also raise the risk. Activities that involve repetitive motion or frequent kneeling, such as construction work or long-distance running, can place ongoing strain on the hip area. Taking breaks, maintaining a healthy weight, and using proper form during physical activity can help lower that risk.

14. Prevention

You can lower your risk of hip bursitis by paying attention to daily habits and how you use your joints. Before activity, warm up with light movement and gentle stretching to help your muscles and tendons move more smoothly around the hip joint. Increase activity gradually and give your body time to build strength and flexibility, especially when starting a new workout or doing tasks that involve bending or lifting.

Good posture and proper body mechanics also play an important role. Try not to sit or stand with uneven weight on one side. Use a supportive chair or cushion during long periods of sitting can reduce pressure on the hips. When kneeling or lying on one side, placing padding under the hip helps limit direct stress on the joint.

Maintaining a healthy weight eases strain on the hips, and even small weight changes can reduce joint stress. If your work involves frequent kneeling, climbing, or squatting, taking short breaks allows the joints to rest.