Bursitis is a condition that causes pain in the joints. It happens when the small, fluid-contained sacs called bursae, which help cushion the muscles, tendons, and bones around the joints, become swollen and inflamed. This makes moving the joint or putting pressure on it very painful.
To prevent bursitis, it’s important to take breaks when doing continuous tasks and to warm up properly before exercising.
The human body has over 150 bursae. These sacs help reduce friction and make movement smoother by acting as cushions between soft tissues and bones.
Bursitis can occur due to overwork of a joint, an injury, or inflammation caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout. For example, tennis elbow is a kind of bursitis that affects the elbow joint.
Types
Individuals with bursitis will experience pain in the areas of inflammation. Bursitis can affect any of the bursae in the body, but it most commonly occurs in particular areas. These areas include the elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, buttocks, thighs, and hips.
Certain kinds of bursitis are called by other names. For example, bursitis in the elbow is often called tennis elbow, while inflammation in the knee is sometimes referred to as clergyman’s knee or housemaid’s knee. These terms describe bursitis in specific locations and are commonly used to identify the condition based on the affected area.
Treatment
Bursitis treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are.
Self-Treatment
Many people can manage their bursitis at home using self-care techniques and over-the-counter treatments. Here are some self-care methods that can help:
- Protection of the Affected Area: Using padding can prevent painful exposure to the affected bursae.
- Resting: Avoiding the use of the joints in the inflamed area may help decrease inflammation.
- Ice pack application: Placing ice packs wrapped in a towel on the affected area may assist decrease inflammation and pain. It’s important not to put ice directly on the skin. You can find ice packs for treating injuries online.
- Elevating the Affected Area: Elevating the inflamed area can help decrease blood pooling and reduce inflammation.
- Taking Pain Relievers: OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen is available in online and stores.
Medical Treatment
While many cases of bursitis can be treated at home, some people with severe symptoms may need prescription medicines.
- Steroids: A healthcare provider might inject steroids into the inflamed area to alleviate signs. Steroids work by blocking prostaglandin, a chemical in the body that leads to inflammation. Still, steroids should be used cautiously, as they can increase blood pressure and the risk of infection if utilized for too long. Additionally, by masking symptoms, steroid injections can delay the diagnosis of other conditions related to the bursae, potentially causing healthcare providers to miss the ideal time for certain surgical procedures.
- Antibiotics: If tests show that a bacterial infection is present, healthcare providers will likely recommend antibiotics. Usually, oral antibiotics are recommended, but in more severe cases, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.
In uncommon situations, surgery might be needed to rule out the affected bursa.
Symptoms
An individual with bursitis may experience several symptoms, including pain that worsens with pressure or movement, sensitiveness even without moving, swelling, and a loss of motion in the affected joint.
Septic bursitis, which happens when an infection causes the bursa to become inflamed, can lead to additional symptoms. These include fever, discoloration of the skin in the affected area, and the affected place feeling hot while touching.
When to consult a doctor
While many people manage bursitis at home, it’s important to seek medical help if the symptoms are severe.
Severe symptoms that warrant a visit to the doctor involve joint pain that completely prevents movement, pain that persists for more than two weeks, sharp and shooting pains, excessive inflammation, skin discoloration, or bruising, and fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment.
Causes
It can be caused by an infection, injury, or previous conditions like gout, which leads to crystal formation in a bursa.
Injury
Injury that happens physically can irritate the tissue internal of the bursa and lead to inflammation. This injury may happen due to an impact injury or overwork of the tendons, joints, or muscles near the bursa, often from continuous movements.
The main causes of bursitis often determine which area of the body is affected. Here are some examples:
- Elbow: It is common in golfers and tennis players due to continuous bending of the elbow.
- Shoulder: Lifting things over your head or reaching up often can cause bursitis in your shoulder.
- Knee: Kneeling a lot can hurt and make the fluid-filled sacs in your knee swell up.
- Ankle: Walking too much, especially in shoes that don’t fit well, can hurt your ankle.
- Buttocks: Sitting on a hard surface for extended periods, such as on a bicycle, can inflame the bursae in the lower pelvis, causing discomfort in the legs and buttocks.
- Hips: Excessive running, stair climbing, or prolonged standing can cause hip bursitis.
Infection
It often happens in bursae closer to the skin’s surface, like those close to the elbow. A lesion on the skin can allow bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Repeated injury and overwork of joints near bursae are frequent causes of infectious bursitis. People with weak immune systems have a higher chance of increasing bursitis through an infection.
Health Conditions
Certain health conditions can increase the likelihood of crystals forming inside the bursa, causing irritation and swelling. Conditions that can lead to bursitis involve rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and gout. These conditions can aggravate the bursae, leading to inflammation and pain.
Diagnosis
To diagnose bursitis, a healthcare provider will examine the affected area and ask about any recent actions that might have caused joint pressure. This helps determine whether the symptoms are related to bursitis or another condition.
If the patient has a fever, the healthcare provider can take a small fluid sample from a bursa close to the affected area. This sample is sent to a laboratory to test for bacteria and crystal deposits, which can indicate an infection or conditions like gout.
If initial treatments for bursitis are not effective, the healthcare provider may order further examinations to rule out more severe conditions. These tests may involve:
- X-ray: To check for bones that are fractured or broken.
- Blood tests: To determine for rheumatoid arthritis.
- MRI scan or CT scan: To check for possible joint damage or tendon.
These additional tests help ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Prevention
There are several steps people can take to assist prevent bursitis:
Protecting risky Parts of the Body: People who kneel frequently should utilize knee pads, and golf players or tennis can benefit from elbow braces. Avid walkers and athletes should invest in running shoes or high-quality walking to provide proper support and cushioning.
Taking Breaks while working: Regular breaks are essential to avoid repetitive stress on joints. Varying movements to engage different parts of the body can also help to prevent.
Handling Body Weight: Excess body weight increases pressure on the joints, so managing weight can decrease this load and reduce the chance of developing bursitis.
Practicing Muscle-Strengthening Exercises: Giving strength to the muscles around joints prone to bursitis can supply extra protection from injury. Focus on exercises that build muscle strength in the affected area to reduce the likelihood of bursitis.
Warming Up Before Exercise: Before engaging in healthy exercise, it’s important to warm up for around 5 to 10 minutes. Suitable activities include slow jogging, brisk walking, or utilizing an exercise bike to prepare the body for more intense activity.
Summary
Bursitis is a painful joint condition caused by inflammation of the bursae, which can result from injury, infection, or conditions like gout. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, and loss of movement, with severe cases requiring medical attention. Diagnosis involves physical examination and tests like X-rays, blood tests, or fluid analysis.
Treatment ranges from self-care with rest, ice, and OTC pain relievers to medical interventions like steroids or antibiotics. Prevention includes using protective gear, taking breaks, managing weight, warming up before exercise, and strengthening muscles around the joints.
