Bursitis Explained: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and How to Prevent Flare-Ups

Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs in your body called bursae. These sacs act as cushions between your bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints. When bursae become inflamed, it causes bursitis. This inflammation can lead to swelling and discomfort around the joints. Bursitis often affects joints that get a lot of use, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, heels, and wrists. Understanding bursitis is important because it can limit your movement and affect your daily life, but with proper care, most cases improve quickly.

Anatomy and Function of Bursae

Your body has over 150 bursae, which are tiny sacs filled with fluid. Their job is to reduce friction between tissues during movement. Think of them like tiny cushions that protect bones and soft tissues as you move. For example, bursae sit between your muscles and bones or between tendons and bones to prevent rubbing and irritation. This cushioning makes joint movements smoother and less painful. When these bursae become irritated or inflamed, they swell and cause pain, which is what bursitis is.

Types of Bursitis

Bursitis can affect any bursa in your body, but some types are more common due to frequent use or pressure on certain joints. Common types include:

• Subacromial bursitis: Found in the shoulder.
• Olecranon bursitis: Olecranon bursitis happens at the tip of the elbow. It’s sometimes known as miner’s elbow or barfly’s elbow.
• Prepatellar bursitis: Prepatellar bursitis affects the front of the knee and is often called housemaid’s knee.
• Trochanteric bursitis: Trochanteric bursitis happens on the outer part of the hip.
• Ischial bursitis: Ischial bursitis occurs in the buttocks and is sometimes known as weaver’s bottom.
• Wrist bursitis: Affects bursae around the wrist tendons.
  
  

No matter the location, bursitis involves swelling and inflammation of the bursae, which causes pain and stiffness.

Causes of Bursitis

Bursitis usually happens because of irritation or repeated stress on a joint. The most common causes include:

• Doing the same movements over and over, like throwing, lifting, or typing.
• Staying in one position for too long, such as kneeling or leaning on your elbows.
• Injuries or bumps to the joint area.
• Health conditions that cause inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or psoriatic arthritis.
• Infections, although these are less common.
• Poor posture or joints and bones that aren’t properly aligned.
  
  

Certain activities like gardening, painting, carpentry, sports (tennis, golf, baseball), and playing musical instruments can also lead to bursitis due to repeated joint use.

Symptoms of Bursitis

The signs of bursitis can be quite clear and often affect movement and comfort. Typical symptoms include:

• Pain around the affected joint, especially when moving it or putting pressure on it.
• Swelling and tenderness over the joint.
• Redness or warmth, particularly if infection is present.
• Limited range of motion or stiffness.
• Fever and chills, in cases where bursitis is caused by infection.
  
  

If the bursitis affects the wrist, you may notice a lump or swelling on the wrist, pain when bending it, and discomfort even when resting.

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop bursitis, but some people are more likely to get it than others. Age plays a big role. As we get older, bursitis becomes more common. This is because our joints and cushioning sacs wear down over time. Jobs and hobbies that involve repetitive movements or putting pressure on certain joints can increase the risk. For example, gardeners, painters, athletes, and manual workers often experience bursitis. Certain health conditions also raise the chance of developing bursitis. Arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems are some examples. Being overweight adds extra stress to joints like the hips and knees, making bursitis more likely. Knowing these risk factors can help you take steps to protect yourself.

Also read : Medial Subluxation Guide – Key Signs, Causes, and Best Treatment Options

Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose bursitis by examining your joint and asking about your symptoms and activities. They will want to know if you do repetitive motions or put pressure on the affected joint. To be sure, your doctor might order:

• X-rays to rule out broken bones or bone spurs.
• Ultrasound or MRI to look at swollen bursae.
• Blood tests to check for infections or inflammation.
• Fluid aspiration, where fluid is taken from the bursa to check for infection.
  
  

This thorough approach helps confirm bursitis and excludes other possible causes.

Treatment Options

Treating bursitis often starts with simple methods that reduce inflammation and protect the joint. Common treatments include:

• Resting the affected joint and avoiding activities that cause pain.
• Applying ice packs several times a day to reduce swelling.
• Using over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.
• Elevating and compressing the joint if swelling is significant.
• Wearing braces or splints to support and protect the area.
  
  

If bursitis is more severe or infected, your doctor may recommend:

• Corticosteroid injections to ease inflammation.
• Antibiotics if there is an infection.
• Physical therapy to restore movement and strengthen muscles.
• Surgery to remove the bursa if symptoms persist for over six months.
  
  

Most people recover fully with rest and conservative care.

Prognosis and Recovery

Bursitis typically improves within a few weeks if treated properly. It is important to avoid putting pressure on the joint until the bursae have healed. Returning to activity too soon can cause the inflammation to return or worsen. Some people may experience repeated bouts of bursitis, which is known as chronic bursitis. This can make joints stiff and less mobile over time. Following your doctor’s advice and allowing enough healing time helps prevent long-term problems.

Prevention Tips

You can lower your chances of getting bursitis or reduce flare-ups by:

• Using cushions or pads when kneeling or leaning on elbows.
• Practising good posture and proper techniques for lifting or sports.
• Taking breaks and alternating tasks to avoid repetitive strain.
• Keeping a healthy weight helps ease the pressure on your joints.
• Warming up and stretching before you exercise gets your body ready and helps prevent injuries.
• Strengthening muscles around your joints to provide better support.
  
  

Simple changes in daily habits can make a big difference.

When to See a Doctor

It is important to seek medical help if you experience:

• Severe or disabling joint pain.
• Inability to move the joint.
• Redness, swelling, warmth, or fever that may suggest infection.
• Bursitis that keeps coming back despite treatment.
  
  

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications.

Common Questions and Comparisons

People often wonder about bursitis and similar conditions. Here are some quick clarifications:

• Bursitis vs Arthritis: Bursitis is inflammation of bursae and is usually short-term. Arthritis is a longer-lasting joint disease affecting cartilage.
• Bursitis vs Tendinitis: Bursitis inflames bursae, while tendinitis inflames tendons. Both cause pain but affect different tissues.
• Can bursitis heal without treatment? Mild cases may improve with rest, but treatment speeds recovery.
• Is bursitis contagious? No, bursitis itself is not contagious, but infected bursitis requires antibiotics.
  
  

Living with Bursitis

Living with bursitis means making some changes to your daily routine. Rest is important, but gentle movement helps stop your joints from getting stiff. Finding ways to protect your joints while staying active keeps your life balanced. Working with your doctor helps your bursitis heal completely and lowers the chance of it coming back. Most of all, be patient during your recovery.

Conclusion

Bursitis is a common, often painful condition caused by inflammation of bursae near your joints. It most often results from repetitive use or pressure but can also be caused by injury or infection. Most cases respond well to rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. Preventing bursitis involves protecting your joints and maintaining healthy habits. If you have persistent or severe symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. Taking care of bursitis early helps keep your joints moving smoothly and pain-free.