Prognostic factors of trochanteric bursitis in surgical-staged patients: a prospective study

Abstract

Background:

Trochanteric bursitis or greater trochanteric pain syndrome is a common disorder and frequent cause of lateral hip pain. It can lead to severe functional impairment with increase morbidity and poor quality of life.

The purpose of the current study was to identify and evaluate relationship between health-related factors, as prognostic indicators, and clinical outcomes.

Methods:

A single-centre, prospective study was conducted and 60 patients (62 hips) were included with a minimum 12 months of follow-up. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using Hip Outcome Scale, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and Visual Analogue Scale. Radiological assessments and health-related factors were documented in an attempt to understand their validity as predictors of clinical outcomes. Complications and recurrence rates were also analyzed.

Results:

Univariate model revealed that an increased BMI (p = 0.001; OR = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02–1.07); number of previous corticosteroid infiltrations (p = 0.001; OR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.11–1.48); longer time from symptom onset to surgery (p = 0.001; OR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12–1.28); smoker status (p = 0.001; OR 11.2; 95% CI, 3.30–44.2); and the presence of prior lumbosacral fusion (LSF) (p = 0.001; OR 13.8; 95% CI, 2.96–101); were prognostic factors predisposing for poor clinical outcomes.

Among prognostic health-related factors were medical comorbidities such as emotional distress (p < 0.001; OR 26.1; 95% CI, 5.71–192); fibromyalgia (p = 0.026; OR 3.56; 95% CI, 1.16–11.7); and hyporthyroidism (p = 0.005, OR = 6.55, 95% CI, 1.73–28.7).

Conclusions:

Better overall physical function was predicted by lower number of corticosteroid infiltrations, shorter time span from symptom onset to surgery, non-smoker status and the absence of prior lumbosacral fusion. Obesity, smoking, the presence of emotional distress, fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism seem to increase the risk of poor clinical outcomes. A proper selection and/or correction of modifiable prognostic factors could reduce the incidence of endoscopic treatment failure and, as a consequence, improve patient outcomes and quality of life. However, future efforts should focus on experimental and randomised studies to fully determine these associations.