Bursitis
Topic Overview
What is bursitis?
Bursitis is a painful swelling of a small sac of fluid called a bursa. Bursae (plural of bursa) cushion and lubricate areas where tendons, ligaments, skin, muscles, or bones rub against each other. People who repeat the same movement over and over or who put continued pressure on a joint in their jobs, sports, or daily activities have a greater chance of getting it.
What causes bursitis?
Bursitis is commonly caused by:
- Overuse and repeated movements. These can include daily activities such as using tools, gardening, cooking, cleaning, and typing at a keyboard.
- Long periods of pressure on an area. For example, carpet layers, roofers, or gardeners who work on their knees all day can develop bursitis over the kneecap.
- Aging, which can cause the bursa to break down over time.
- Sudden injury, such as a blow to the elbow.
Bursitis can also be caused by other problems, such as arthritis or infection (septic bursitis).
What are the symptoms?
Bursitis usually causes a dull pain, tenderness, and stiffness near the affected bursa. The bursa may swell and make the skin around it red and warm to the touch.
Bursitis is most common in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. Bursitis may also occur near the Achilles tendon or in the foot.
Symptoms of bursitis may be like those of tendinopathy, because both occur in the tissues in and around the joints.
How is bursitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will check for bursitis by asking questions about your past health and recent activities and by examining the sore area.
If bursitis continues or gets worse even after treatment, your doctor may drain fluid from the bursa through a needle (aspiration) and test it for infection.
How is it treated?
Home treatment is often enough to reduce pain and let the bursa heal. It usually includes resting the joint, applying ice, and taking pain medicine. Gentle exercises and stretching can help prevent stiffness. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your joints.
If you have severe bursitis, your doctor may use a needle to remove extra fluid from the bursa. Or you might wear a pressure bandage on the area. Both treatments are sometimes used together. Your doctor may also give you a shot of medicine to reduce swelling. Some people need surgery to drain or remove the bursa.
Sometimes the fluid in the bursa can get infected. If this happens, you may need antibiotics.
How can you prevent bursitis?
You may be able to prevent bursitis from happening or coming back.
- Rest the area, and avoid any activity or direct pressure that may cause pain.
- Apply ice or cold packs as soon as you notice pain and tenderness.
- Take pain relievers you can buy without a prescription such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
- Change the way you do activities with repeated movements that may strain your muscles or joints.
- Protect your joints from pressure. Cushion knees or elbows on hard surfaces, and wear shoes with good support that fit you well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about bursitis and tendinopathy:
Being diagnosed:
Getting treatment:
Ongoing concerns:
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| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: December 19, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Nicola Maffulli, MD, PhD - Orthopedics | |
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| Topic Contents | |
 | Topic Overview |
| Symptoms | |
| Exams and Tests | |
| Treatment Overview | |
| Home Treatment | |
| Other Places To Get Help | |
| Related Information | |
| References | |
| Credits | |