Bursitis: Causes and Treatments

10/18/2022

As with any mechanism, your joints can weaken from overuse or injury. One of the most common conditions associated with overuse or injury to the joints is a form of arthritis, called bursitis. All forms of arthritis are characterized by joint pain and stiffness, but bursitis occurs when part of the joint becomes inflamed or irritated from damage to the bursa, the sacs of fluid that absorb impact and irritation where bones, muscles and tendons meet. The sacs provide lubrication and cushion to all of the joints, but bursitis usually affects the shoulders, elbows, knees and hips.

While bursitis is most common in individuals over the age of 40, anyone who performs repetitive tasks or puts a lot of strain on the joints is at risk for developing the condition. In order to effectively treat bursitis, it is important to identify the cause of the inflammation. Bursitis is commonly caused by the following activities:

• Shoulders – Often, bursitis in the shoulder is the result of a rotator cuff injury, which can be caused by heavy lifting or repetitive overhead activities with the arms. A fall can also damage the bursa or the rotator cuff.
• Elbows – Bursitis in the elbows can be caused by any activity in which the elbow is bent and extended repetitively, such as vacuuming, throwing a baseball, swinging a tennis racket or playing golf.
• Knees – Individuals who are overweight and also have arthritis are prone to developing bursitis of the knees. Anyone who puts a lot of pressure on the knees is also at risk for developing the condition. Installing flooring, scrubbing floors, gardening and similar activities can all lead to bursitis of the knee, often characterized by a soft bump that develops on the front of the knee.
• Hips – While standing for long periods of time can lead the bursitis of the hip, it is most often associated with a hip injury or arthritis of the joint.

Bursitis can be painful, especially when associated with a compounding problem like arthritis or injury. With proper treatment, however, it can usually be resolved within a couple of weeks. To treat a simple case of bursitis, a physician may recommend applying ice to the injury or affected area, resting and avoiding activities that could worsen the problem. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen may also be prescribed. If the symptoms of bursitis persist, your physician may recommend physical therapy, strengthening exercises, or a corticosteroid injection to relieve inflammation and pain. In the rare event that bursitis is the result of an infection in the joint, corticosteroids will not be effective and your physician will likely prescribe antibiotics or even consider surgery to drain or remove the bursa.

The following guidelines may help alleviate the symptoms of bursitis and prevent recurrences:

• Warm up and stretch your muscles before physical activity.
• Strengthen your muscles to take pressure off other parts of the joint, such as bones and tendons.
• Take breaks when doing repetitive tasks.
• Cushion knee joints with foam pads or cushions when kneeling.
• Make sure that shoes fit properly and don’t have worn heels.
• Don’t stay seated for long periods of time. Get up and move around frequently.
• Sit and stand using good posture.

Bursitis can be very painful and should be treated to avoid long-term damage to the joint. However, the condition can usually be treated at home after a physician has diagnosed the problem. Make sure to speak with your physician if you are experiencing joint pain, especially if it is affiliated with an injury.

If you need a primary care provider, please call (817) 573-3627 or schedule an appointment online at LakesidePhysicians.com.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

Back