Many of the different trochanteric bursitis exercises are aimed at increasing the flexibility of muscles in the affected area. Some of these flexibility exercises include gluteal, illiotibial band, hip flexor, and hamstring stretches. The patient may also be required to perform strengthening trochanteric bursitis exercises. Side lying hip abduction, for example, involves lifting the leg sideways away from the mid-line of the body, and is useful for strengthening the gluteus medius.
One exercise that is commonly used to treat trochanteric bursitis is the gluteal stretch. This stretch is effective at increasing the flexibility of the gluteal muscles located in the buttocks. To perform this stretch, the patient should lie on his or her back with knees extended. The knee of the injured side should be slowly pulled towards the opposite shoulder until a stretch is felt. This stretch should be held for a minimum of 20 seconds and repeated three times.
Another of the many flexibility trochanteric bursitis exercises is the illiotibial (IT) band stretch. The IT band runs from the hip down to the side of the knee; when tight, it can cause extra pressure on the trochanteric bursa. To perform an IT band stretch, the patient should stand upright before crossing his or her injured leg in front of the other. Slowly lean to the opposite site, until a stretch is felt on the outer hip and outside of the thigh. Again, this stretch should be held for 20 seconds and repeated several times.
General flexibility of muscles around the hip is important for treating trochanteric bursitis. Some of the other trochanteric bursitis exercises which are commonly used include hamstring stretches and hip flexor stretches. A hamstring stretch is achieved by standing with one foot in front of the other, while bending the back knee and tilting the hips until a stretch is felt. To stretch the hip flexors, the person should get down on one knee and push the hips forwards.
Trochanteric bursitis exercises also involve strengthening muscles such as the gluteus medius, which is located on the outside of the hip. To strengthen this muscle, the leg must be moved away from the center of the body against resistance. A typical gluteus medius exercise involves the patient lying on the floor on his or her side with knees bent. Keeping the ankles touching, the patient then lifts his or her knee upwards before slowly returning it to the floor.
