Have you ever felt achy or swollen around your joints? That might be a sign of bursitis. Whether you have shoulder pain, knee discomfort or another joint problem, there are simple ways to relieve pain and get back to moving comfortably.
Keep reading to learn what bursitis is, why it happens, how to treat it and ways to prevent it.
Bursitis is a painful swelling that happens in tiny, fluid-filled sacs called bursae. These sacs are like little pillows that help bones, tendons and muscles move smoothly.
When a joint is in motion, the bursae act as a liquid coating that moves between bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons to keep them from rubbing together. Bursitis happens when the bursae become irritated or inflamed.
Doing the same movements over and over again (repetitive motions) - like throwing a baseball or heavy lifting at work - can increase your risk for bursitis. Positions that put pressure on your bursae - like kneeling or leaning on your elbows for long periods - can also cause it.
Other less common causes of bursitis include:
There are more than 150 bursae in your body. Common areas where bursitis develops include the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, feet and buttocks.
Here are common types of bursitis:
If you have bursitis, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Call your doctor if:
Your doctor will start with a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If needed, they may order tests such as:
Most people with bursitis get better within a week or two with simple treatments, such as:
If these steps don’t work, your provider may recommend:
While it may not always be possible to prevent bursitis, you can reduce your risk by doing the following:
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