Bursitis

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. 

What is bursitis?

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.

What causes bursitis?

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:

• Infection: Sometimes, bacteria can infect the bursae, causing them to become swollen and painful.
• Injury or trauma: A sudden bump, fall or other type of injury can damage the bursae.
• Medical conditions: Certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can increase the risk of developing bursitis.

Types of bursitis

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:

• Shoulder bursitis (subacromial bursitis): The bursa in the shoulder gets irritated from overuse or repetitive tasks, such as throwing or reaching. 
• Elbow bursitis (olecranon bursitis or barfly’s elbow): The bursa at the tip of the elbow gets swollen, usually from leaning on it too much.
• Hip bursitis (iliopectineal or trochanteric bursitis): The bursa on the outside of the hip gets sore, usually from lots of running or going up stairs.
• Knee bursitis (prepatellar bursitis or housemaid’s knees): The bursa in front of the kneecap gets swollen, often from kneeling too much.
• Foot bursitis (Achilles bursitis, metatarsal bursitis or heel bursitis): The bursa near the Achilles tendon, bursae around the toe joints or bursa beneath the heel bone get irritated. 
• Sitting bone bursitis (ischial bursitis, ischiogluteal bursitis, weaver’s bottom): The bursa in the sit bones (ischium) become irritated from prolonged sitting on hard surfaces or repetitive hip movements, like running or bicycling.

Symptoms of bursitis

If you have bursitis, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain: You may feel a dull ache or sharp pain in the affected joint.
• Swelling: The joint may appear swollen or feel tender to the touch.
• Stiffness: It may be challenging to move the affected joint fully.
• Warmth: The skin may feel warm to the touch due to increased blood flow to the area.
• Redness: The skin over the affected joint may appear red.

Call your doctor if: 

• Your symptoms don’t improve after a few days 
• You have a fever 
• The swelling or pain gets worse 
• The bursitis keeps coming back 

How is bursitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will start with a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If needed, they may order tests such as: 

• X-ray, ultrasound or MRI to rule out other problems 
• Blood tests to check for underlying conditions 
• Fluid sample from the swollen area to test for infection 

How to treat bursitis

Most people with bursitis get better within a week or two with simple treatments, such as: 

• Rest the joint and avoid activities that make it worse. 
• Ice the area using a towel-wrapped ice pack to reduce pain and swelling. 
• Use heat after a few days to improve blood flow. 
• Compression bandages to support the joint. 
• Over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. 
• Physical therapy exercises to improve strength and flexibility. 
• Antibiotics if an infection is causing the problem. 

If these steps don’t work, your provider may recommend: 

• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation 
• Surgery in rare cases to drain or remove the inflamed bursa 

Tips to prevent bursitis

While it may not always be possible to prevent bursitis, you can reduce your risk by doing the following:

• Use proper posture and technique for sports or activities.
• Avoid repetitive motions that strain the joints.
• Take regular breaks and switch tasks to prevent overuse injuries.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your joints.
• Carry heavy objects using a dolly or wheeled cart instead of carrying them by hand.
• Use cushions or pads when you kneel or lean on your elbows.
• Warm up before physical activity (including chores) and stretch afterward to improve flexibility.

Support for bursitis at Banner Health 

At Banner Health, we offer expert care to help relieve bursitis pain and improve your quality of life. Our team can guide you with the right treatment plan—so you can get back to doing the things you love. 

If joint pain is slowing you down, don’t wait. Schedule a visit with a Banner Health provider today.