What is bursitis?
Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa. The bursa is a small sac filled with lubricating fluid, located between tissues, such as bone, muscle, tendons and skin. Bursae help to decrease friction rubbing and irritation and help your joints move easily. There are more than 150 bursae in your body. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed; this results in pain and discomfort. The pain may be a gradual build up or sudden and severe, especially if calcium deposits are present.
What are the causes?
Bursitis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the area, or from a sudden, more serious injury. Common causes of bursitis are overuse, stress or direct trauma to a joint, such as with repeated bumping or prolonged pressure from kneeling. Bursitis may also result from an infection, arthritis or gout. Many times, the cause is unknown.
Bursitis typically results from one or more of these factors:
- Play or work activities that cause overuse or injury to the joint areas, for example:
- Gardening
- Raking
- Carpentry
- Shoveling
- Painting
- Scrubbing
- Sports (tennis, golf ,throwing and pitching, etc …)
- Incorrect posture
- Stress on the soft tissues from an abnormal or poorly positioned joint or bone (such as leg length differences or arthritis in a joint)
- Other diseases or conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis, thyroid disease or an unusual drug reaction) and rarely from infection
Where does bursitis occur?
Bursae are located throughout the body. However, certain joints are more subject to increased pressure and repetitive use and are more likely to develop bursitis. These joints include the shoulders, elbows, knees, and feet. Bursae near the hip joint, particularly those on the outer side of the hip, and those in the buttocks (subjected to pressure from sitting) are also prone to bursitis.
How is it treated?
Treatment goals include reduction in pain and inflammation, as well as preserving mobility and preventing disability and recurrence.
The treatment recommendations may include a combination of rest, splints, heat and cold application. You may need more advanced treatments including:
- Corticosteroid injections from your health care provider. They work quickly to decrease the inflammation and pain.
- Physical therapy which includes range of motion exercises and splinting. This can be very beneficial.
- Surgery, if you are not responding to other treatments.
When should you seek medical advice?
Most cases of bursitis subside on their own over a few weeks. See your health care provider if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, which may indicate infection:
- You experience pain that interferes with your normal day-to-day activities or have soreness that doesn't improve despite self-care measures.
- You have recurrence.
- You have a fever and the area affected by tendinitis appears red or inflamed (swollen, warm).
In addition see your doctor if you have other medical conditions that may increase your risk of an infection, or if you take medications that increase your risk of infection, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants.
How can you prevent bursitis?
Because most cases of bursitis are caused by overuse, the best treatment is prevention. It is important to avoid or modify the activities that cause the problem. Underlying conditions such as leg length differences, improper posture or poor technique in sports or work must be corrected. Some positions, such as kneeling and sitting, significantly increase joint pressure.
Apply these basic rules when performing activities:
- Take it slow at first and gradually build up your activity level.
- Use limited force and limited repetitions.
- Stop if unusual pain occurs.
- Use cushions and pads to reduce pressure.
