The greater trochanter is the bony prominence on the outer side of your upper thigh bone (femur). Over this area sits a fluid-filled sac called the bursa, which helps tendons glide smoothly during movement. When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamedâoften due to overuse, strain, or tightness in nearby musclesâit can cause significant pain when walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side.
During the procedure, your consultant uses ultrasound to locate the inflamed bursa precisely. Local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory steroid medication is then injected into the area to reduce swelling and discomfort. The ultrasound guidance ensures that the injection is placed exactly where it is needed.
This is an outpatient procedure carried out under ultrasound guidance. Local anaesthetic is used to make the injection as comfortable as possible, and the whole process typically takes only a few minutes.
If you prefer or require sedation, this can be arranged when the procedure is performed in theatre, under the care of a consultant anaesthetist. Sedation is not available for procedures done in clinic, but we can plan for it in theatre if needed.
After the injection, you may rest briefly before going home the same day. Some temporary soreness or a feeling of fullness at the injection site is normal before improvement begins.
Driving advice: You should not drive that day if receiving any sedation. Our procedures do vary on whether it is possible to drive home yourself. Please seek advice from your consultant about driving advice. If you are seeing us for an injection and planning to drive, please check with us beforehand about whether it will be possible to drive yourself home afterwards.
At Wessex Pain Clinic we find that the best results come from combining medical treatments with active rehabilitation. Procedures are often most effective when paired with physiotherapy, movement-based exercise, and â where appropriate â psychological support. This comprehensive approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of pain and supports longer-term improvement.
Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this. Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester â with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
