“Can hip bursitis cause pain down the leg?”

Not usually. The pain from hip bursitis is usually on the outside of the hip, the thigh, or can be in the buttock region. If you are experiencing pain beyond your knee joint then there is another source of your pain likely.

Yes, it frequently does. Usually not past the knee though.

Usually lateral thigh, can go to knee.

Yes, as far down as the outside part of the thigh to the knee.

Hope it helps!

Dr. Bose

Bursitis of the hip, also known as greater trochanter bursitis, is caused by inflammation of the thick tissue known as the iliotibial (IT) band as it crosses over the prominence of the greater trochanter, the sharp point of the hip. This can cause local pain and also with some patients a snapping sensation. The IT band starts as part of the muscle known as the Tensor Fascia Lata which starts on the pelvis. The IT band crosses over the trochanter and then goes down the lateral aspect of the thigh and then stops on the lateral side of the proximal tibia. this can cause pain down the lateral aspect of the thigh but it usually does not go down below the knee. the IT Band syndrome can be caused by inflammation of the IT band as it crosses the prominence of the lateral edge of the distal femur just above the knee.

Pain down the back of the thigh is usually of a different origin.


I hope this helps.

Hip bursitis typically causes lateral hip pain that can radiate to the outside of the never at times, but almost never to the leg or foot. Pain radiating into the leg and foot from the hip is often due to lumbar issues.

Dr. D

The hip bursitis usually causes the pain at the lateral aspect of the hip at the greater trochanter area. The pain from the hip bursitis does not extend down the leg. If you have pain radiating from the hip down to the leg, the pain is usually caused by sciatica..

Usually no. More likely than not, if you have pain shooting down the leg it is coming from your lower back, even if you don't experience lower back pain)