Definition

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a thin sac that lies between bone and soft tissue. It can be found near some joints. A healthy bursa lets muscles and tendons move smoothly over bone. Bursitis is more common in the:

• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Knee
• Hip

Bursitis in the Shoulder Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Bursitis may be caused by:

• Injury to an area that contains a bursa
• Repetitive stress on the bursa
• Infection in a bursa
• Long periods of pressure on a joint, such as leaning on elbows, sitting, or kneeling on hard surfaces
• Health problems that cause inflammation in joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

• Repetitive motions, such as swimming, running, or tennis
• A job that requires:
  • Repetitive motions, such as hammering or painting
  • Long hours in one position, such as a kneeling to put down carpeting
• Contact sports
• Sporting gear that is too tight
• A puncture or deep cut that involves the bursa

Symptoms

Bursitis can cause:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Reddened skin
• Warmth around the area of the bursa
• Decreased motion of the nearby joint
• Decreased movement or strength of the nearby limb

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to ease pain and promote healing. Choices are:

• Supportive care, such as resting the area and applying cold compresses
• Medicines to ease pain and swelling, such as:
  • Over the counter pain medicine
  • Steroids
• Physical therapy to promote strength, flexibility, and range of motion

People who are not helped by these methods may need surgery.

Prevention

To lower the risk of this problem:

• Exercise regularly to keep muscles strong
• Slowly increase the intensity and duration of activities
• Use the right safety gear and techniques when playing sports
• Use proper safety equipment at work
• Take breaks from repetitive tasks