Which statement best describes trochanteric bursitis?

Which statement best describes trochanteric bursitis?

• A. Develops insidiously after repetitive use, with morning stiffness and pain when lying on the affected side; tenderness at the greater trochanter; early corticosteroid injection is usually effective
• B. Acute onset knee swelling with warmth and erythema
• C. Pain localized to the medial aspect of the knee
• D. Painful arc on hip flexion without tenderness at the trochanter

Answer: (D)

Trochanteric bursitis presents with lateral hip pain that is typically worsened by lying on the affected side, walking, or stair climbing, and is often associated with tenderness over the greater trochanter. While focal tenderness at the greater trochanter is a classic finding, inflammation of the bursa can also produce pain primarily during hip movement, sometimes without a clearly reproducible tender point on palpation. The statement describing a painful arc on hip flexion without tenderness at the trochanter emphasizes movement-related hip pain rather than a knee or medial joint issue, which is consistent with a trochanteric/bursal process that manifests as pain with hip motion. Other options describe non-hip conditions (knee involvement) or don’t fit the typical pattern of hip bursitis. Thus, this option best captures the hip-specific movement-related pain you’d expect with trochanteric bursitis in a way that distinguishes it from other problems.

Trochanteric bursitis presents with lateral hip pain that is typically worsened by lying on the affected side, walking, or stair climbing, and is often associated with tenderness over the greater trochanter. While focal tenderness at the greater trochanter is a classic finding, inflammation of the bursa can also produce pain primarily during hip movement, sometimes without a clearly reproducible tender point on palpation.

The statement describing a painful arc on hip flexion without tenderness at the trochanter emphasizes movement-related hip pain rather than a knee or medial joint issue, which is consistent with a trochanteric/bursal process that manifests as pain with hip motion. Other options describe non-hip conditions (knee involvement) or don’t fit the typical pattern of hip bursitis. Thus, this option best captures the hip-specific movement-related pain you’d expect with trochanteric bursitis in a way that distinguishes it from other problems.