Managing Hip Pain Due to Bursitis

January 29, 2019

Each joint in the body has its own little cushion, known as bursae, that helps to protect the bones, tendons, and muscles around the joint. Sometimes these cushions become inflamed and painful. This is a condition called bursitis. Bursitis can happen in any joint, but it is most common in the shoulder, hip, and elbow. When the hip joint is affected, it can be difficult for older adults to move about safely because of the pain. It can also make doing many things around the house harder or even impossible. The pain itself can also be tough to live with. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done at home to manage hip pain due to bursitis. Here are some ideas.

Allow for Plenty of Rest.

Elderly Care in Menlo Park CA: Managing Hip Pain Due to Bursitis

The inflammation caused by bursitis requires rest to heal. When the hip is involved, that can mean your aging family member needs to sit or lie still more often than usual. They may be unable to walk without assistance. They will likely be unable to perform some household tasks.

Elderly care can let the older adult rest while they take care of things around the house, including cleaning and making meals. They can bring the senior the things they need while they sit, like a glass of water, the phone, or the television remote. Elderly care providers can also help your aging relative move safely from room to room, minimizing stress on the joint and preventing falls due to pain.

Use Ice to Reduce Inflammation.

The Mayo Clinic recommends using cold packs to reduce inflammation during the first 48 hours after the symptoms begin. Ice should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes up to 5 times per day. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel or cloth to protect the senior’s skin.

Elderly care can help to prepare the ice pack and assist with placing it in the right spot on the hip. The elderly care provider can also track the length of time the ice pack is in use and remove it at the proper time.

Use Over-the-Counter Pain Killers.

Talk to the senior’s doctor about using pain killers like ibuprofen to manage the pain. If the doctor says it is alright for the older adult to take them, using them according to the directions may relieve the pain and lessen the inflammation.

Although an elderly care provider cannot administer medications, they can remind your aging relative to take pain killers. They can also monitor them to make sure they do not take too much.