Bursitis
What
is it?
Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, which is
a fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between
a bone and tissues such as skin, ligaments,
tendons, and muscles. Bursitis most commonly
affects the joints in the shoulder, elbow, knee,
and hip, but can also occur in the heel (Achilles
tendon), toes, and pelvis.
Who
gets it?
Anyone
can get bursitis.
What
causes it?
Bursitis can occur from injury and irritation
caused by overuse of a particular joint, either
from physical activities such as sports, or
repeated movements required by a profession or
household work. Bursitis of the knee caused by
prolonged kneeling is called prepatellar bursitis.
Bursitis caused by leaning on the elbow repeatedly
is called olecranon. Bursitis can also be caused
by conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis,
and certain types of bacterial infections.
What
are the symptoms?
Bursitis causes pain and limits movement in the
affected area. The skin may look red and swollen.
How is
it diagnosed?
Bursitis is diagnosed through a physical
examination and analysis of your medical history
and symptoms. Your doctor may remove a small
sample of fluid from the inflamed bursa to test
for infection. You may also have x-rays.
What
is the treatment?
Bursitis is treated with rest. You can relieve
swelling with ice packs and anti-inflammatory
medications. Once swelling has gone down, you can
use heat to ease pain. In more severe cases, you
doctor may inject a drug such as cortisone mixed
with an anesthetic directly into the bursa or
prescribe oral corticosteroids for a short period
of time. If the bursa is filled with a great deal
of fluid, your doctor may use a needle to remove
some of the fluid to relieve pressure and pain.
You may need to keep the area wrapped to reduce
motion and keep the joint from filling with fluid
again. An infected bursa is treated with
antibiotics. Surgery to remove the bursa is only
recommended when bursitis is frequent and severe,
and does not respond to other treatments. In most
cases, bursitis clears up in a few weeks if you
follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations.
Physical therapy can help improve range of motion
and strengthen the affected area.
Self-care tips
You can
prevent bursitis by avoiding movements that
irritate joint areas or put prolonged pressure on
joint areas. If you participate in a sport, such
as tennis or baseball, make sure you use the
proper technique for swinging the racket or bat.
If you are prone to bursitis, you can take steps
to protect yourself from flare-ups, such as
wearing protective pads on your knees if your work
requires you to kneel frequently. As soon as you
notice any inflammation, give the area a rest and
use ice packs to relieve swelling. Always call
your doctor at any signs of fever or redness in
the affected area because you may have an
infection. Avoid overuse injuries by stopping any
activity if you are feeling tired or stiff and
sore.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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