What is bursitis?
Bursitis is a condition where the fluid-filled sac, or bursa, that cushions and protects a joint becomes swollen and irritated. The job of a bursa is to keep your joints moving smoothly, but sudden injury, overuse or repetitive motions can irritate the bursa, causing bursitis.
Even something as simple as leaning on hard surfaces for a long time, gardening or washing the kitchen floor can cause bursitis. The pain from bursitis can develop suddenly or build up over time.
Types of bursitis
Bursae act as padding between your bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons. You can develop bursitis wherever you have swelling or inflammation in a bursa.
One type of bursitis, septic bursitis, occurs due to a bacterial infection. However, many types develop as a result of overuse. Commonly affected joints include:
- Elbows (olecranon bursitis)
- Hips (trochanteric bursitis)
- Knees (prepatellar bursitis)
- Shoulders (subacromial bursitis)
- Feet, especially in the Achilles tendon, heel or big toe.
Bursitis symptoms
Pain, swelling and lack of mobility in the joint are the most common symptoms of bursitis. If an infection is causing your bursitis, you may have other symptoms, including discoloration or redness of the skin around the affected joint, a feeling of warmth or heat in the joint area, fever and/or chills.
Common symptoms of bursitis include:
- Pain and discomfort, especially when you move the affected joint
- Limited mobility or range of motion in your affected joint area
- Swelling of the joint
When to see a doctor
If your bursitis causes discomfort that interferes with your day-to-day activities and doesn’t get better with over-the-counter pain relievers, it’s time to see your doctor. Your doctor should also know if you suddenly can’t move your joint, notice redness or swelling in the joint area, have a fever, or you’re experiencing sharp or shooting pain when you exercise.
What causes bursitis?
Bursitis is most commonly caused by repetitive motions or positions that put pressure on the bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. Common examples include throwing a baseball, repeatedly lifting objects overhead, leaning on your elbows for extended periods, or prolonged kneeling during tasks like laying carpet or scrubbing floors.
Poor posture, joint misalignment (due to leg length differences, bone spurs, or arthritis), and overuse are also common factors. In some cases, bursitis may result from injury, trauma, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout, or even infection.
How is bursitis diagnosed?
Bursitis is diagnosed through a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and sometimes additional tests to confirm the condition or rule out other causes of your pain and swelling.
Getting a proper diagnosis is key to managing bursitis and relieving your symptoms. If you're dealing with ongoing joint pain or swelling, your doctor can help identify the cause and suggest the best treatment options to get you feeling better.
Locations
If you’re living with bursitis, we offer several locations for your care, including specialty orthopedic centers in North and Central Texas.
