Lower limb
Trochanteric bursae
Bursae trochantericae
- Origin
- Group of synovial bursae surrounding the greater trochanter: gluteus maximus trochanteric bursa (largest, between IT band/gluteus maximus and trochanter), gluteus medius, and minimus bursae
- Insertion
- Cover the lateral bony facets and tendinous insertions of the greater trochanter
- Function
- Facilitate smooth excursion of the iliotibial tract and gluteal tendons across the prominent greater trochanter
- Innervation
- Sensory branches of superior gluteal and femoral nerves
- Movement & chain
- Compressed during hip adduction and side-lying postures
- Palpation
- Point tenderness directly over the posterosuperior aspect of the greater trochanter
- Clinical
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS / trochanteric bursitis); severe lateral hip pain aggravated by lying on the affected side, stair climbing, and prolonged standing; often associated with gluteal tendinopathy ('rotator cuff tear of the hip')
- Segmental innervation
- L4, L5, S1 spinal segments
- In clinical practice
- Direct trochanteric palpation, single-leg stance test, ultrasound-guided bursal injection, shockwave therapy (ESWT), and progressive gluteal isometric rehabilitation
- Region in the model
- Lower limb