Bursitis of the Hip

Throughout the body, small sacs called bursae, sometimes filled with a little fluid, act as cushions between bones, tendons and muscles. Several bursae are located around the outer area of the hip, near the portion of the thighbone (femur) called the greater trochanter (tro-KAN-ter). The greater trochanter is a broad, flat area of bone that anchors several large muscles. An inflammation of one of the trochanteric bursa is a common cause of hip pain.