Bursitis is a relatively common cause of pain, especially around your joints. It occurs when tiny sacs of fluid called bursae become irritated and inflamed. Bursae act like cushions to protect your muscles and other tissues from the damaging effects of friction. Your body has over 150 bursae, and when they’re healthy, they work with your tendons, muscles and other tissues to facilitate normal, comfortable movement. But when one or more bursae become inflamed, you can wind up in a lot of discomfort, especially when you bend, reach, stoop or even walk. Although inflammation can affect any of your bursae, bursitis most commonly occurs in the hips, shoulders, elbows, knees or heels, or at the base of the big toe. Prompt, professional bursitis treatment is important for preventing more serious problems, including infection.
Bursitis: Causes and Symptoms
Bursitis occurs most commonly as a result of repetitive motions that subject them to a lot of strain, pressure and irritation over time. For instance, throwing a ball, lifting heavy objects over your head, or spending long periods of time kneeling are all relatively common causes of bursitis. Inflammation can also develop following an infection or joint injury, or as a symptom of a joint condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
Since bursitis is most commonly caused by repeated joint movement, it’s not surprising that it tends to occur more commonly with age. Athletes and people whose work or hobbies involve a lot of joint pressure are also at greater risk for bursitis. Some types of bursitis like hip bursitis and knee bursitis are more common in people who are overweight or obese.
Joint stiffness and achiness or outright pain around a joint are the most common symptoms of bursitis. In hip bursitis, you might have additional discomfort radiating into your buttocks or your lower back. Generally, the joint will feel tender when pressure is applied to it, and it might even look red or swollen. Without medical treatment, joint dysfunction can become more pronounced, and if the bursae are infected, you might have a fever or severe, disabling pain in the joint. Like other joint conditions, the symptoms you experience can vary depending on the extent of the inflammation and whether infection is present.
Bursitis Treatment Options
Bursitis typically can be managed without surgery. Initial treatment usually consists of rest and activity modification to help reduce irritation, combined with over-the-counter or prescription oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). Corticosteroid injections may be prescribed to administer anti-inflammatory medicine directly to the affected bursa. Physical therapy can be helpful as well. If you have hip bursitis, you might benefit from using a cane for a brief period to reduce stress on the effected area.
If these nonsurgical approaches don’t provide meaningful relief, surgery can be performed to remove the bursa, especially if it’s infected or chronically inflamed. Surgery can be performed using a traditional “open” approach (with a longer incision) or arthroscopically, using one or more very small incisions. Arthroscopy is associated with a faster recovery and less discomfort, but depending on which bursa is affected, it might not be the best option.
Preventing Bursitis
If you’re prone to bursitis, you can help prevent its recurrence by:
- making sure you stretch regularly, and especially before physical activity
- reducing repetitive stress and strain on your joints
- losing excess weight (for hip bursitis and bursitis in the knees and feet)
- use cushions when kneeling and wear shoes that fit properly
It’s also important to seek medical attention at the first sign of pain so bursitis treatment can begin right away, before serious problems like infection occur.
Learn more about bursitis treatment.
Bursitis symptoms might seem mild at first, but without prompt medical treatment, they can become significantly worse over time. To find out more about bursitis treatment or to find out what’s causing your joint or musculoskeletal pain, call Franklin Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at (615) 771-1116 and schedule an office visit today!
