Bursitis Overview
Learn About Bursitis
Bursitis is the swelling and irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons, and bones.
Student's elbow; Olecranon bursitis; Housemaid's knee; Prepatellar bursitis; Weaver's bottom; Ischial gluteal bursitis; Baker's cyst; Gastrocnemius - semimembranosus bursa
Bursitis is often a result of overuse. It can also be caused by a change in activity level, such as training for a marathon, or by being overweight.
Other causes include trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection. Sometimes, the cause can't be found.
Bursitis commonly occurs in the shoulder, knee, elbow, and hip. Other areas that may be affected include the area around the Achilles tendon and the foot.
Symptoms of bursitis may include any of the following:
- Joint pain and tenderness when you press around the joint
- Stiffness and aching when you move the affected joint
- Swelling, warmth or redness over the joint
- Pain during movement and rest
- Pain may spread to the nearby areas
Your provider will talk to you about a treatment plan to help you resume your normal activities, including some of the following tips.
Tips to relieve bursitis pain:
- Use ice 3 to 4 times a day for the first 2 or 3 days.
- Cover the painful area with a towel, and place the ice on it for 15 minutes. Do not fall asleep while applying the ice. You can get frostbite if you leave it on too long.
- Rest the joint.
- When sleeping, do not lie on the side that has bursitis.
For bursitis around the hips, knees, or ankle:
- Try not to stand for long periods.
- Stand on a soft, cushioned surface, with equal weight on each leg.
- Placing a pillow between your knees when lying on your side can help decrease pain.
- Flat shoes that are cushioned and comfortable often help.
- If you are overweight, losing weight may also be helpful.
You should avoid activities that involve repetitive movements of any body part when possible.
Other treatments include:
- Medicines such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Physical therapy
- Wearing a brace or splint to support the joint and help reduce inflammation
- Exercises you do at home to build strength and keep the joint mobile as pain goes away
- Removing fluid from the bursa and getting a corticosteroid shot
As the pain goes away, your provider may suggest exercises to build strength and keep movement in the painful area.
In rare cases, surgery is done.
Healthone Clinic Services - Orthopedic Specialists LLC
Zeke Walton is an Orthopedics provider in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Walton and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bursitis. His top areas of expertise are Bone Tumor, Fibrosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma Embryonal, Hip Replacement, and Shoulder Arthroscopy. Dr. Walton is currently accepting new patients.
Portercare Adventist Health System
Douglas Dennis is an Orthopedics provider in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Dennis and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bursitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Septic Arthritis, Lordosis, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.
Portercare Adventist Health System
Todd Miner is an Orthopedics provider in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Miner and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bursitis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Septic Arthritis, Baker Cyst, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.
Some people do well with treatment. When the cause cannot be corrected, you may have long-term pain.
If the bursa is infected, it becomes more inflamed and painful. This often requires antibiotics or surgery.
Contact your provider if symptoms recur or do not improve after 3 to 4 weeks of treatment, or if the pain is getting worse.
When possible, avoid activities that include repetitive movements of any body parts. Be aware of your posture when doing the activities. Strengthening your muscles and working on your balance may help decrease the risk of bursitis.
Summary: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of robotic training compared to conventional rehabilitation in patients with AC.
Summary: the study is about intervention to patient with frozen shoulder to help patients improve function and shoulder disability , reduce pain and improve range of motion, the main aim of this study is to find out which treatment intervention SSMP , MWM and sham mobilization give effective results
Published Date: September 20, 2022
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Biundo JJ. Bursitis, tendinitis, and other periarticular disorders and sports medicine. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 247.
Hogrefe C, Jones EM. Tendinopathy and bursitis. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, Erickson TB, Wilcox SR, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 103.