Common sites for bursitis include the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, but you can also have bursitis near other joints that perform repetitive motion frequently, such as your heel or the base of your big toe. Both arthritis and bursitis can be debilitating, causing severe pain and immobility.
Typically Caused by Joint Overuse or Repetitive Movements
Although it rarely is serious, inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs cushioning a joint's bones, muscles, and tendons) can be painful in the short term and debilitating if it develops into a chronic condition.
Pain is the most common symptom of bursitis. It might build up slowly or be sudden and severe, especially if you have calcium deposits in the area. You'll probably feel it when you stretch or extend the joint, and you may have limited range of motion even without pain.
Chronic bursitis may involve repeated attacks of pain, swelling, and tenderness. These may lead to the deterioration of muscles and a limited range of motion in the affected joint. The symptoms of bursitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
The most common symptom of bursitis is pain. The pain can be sudden and severe, or may increase slowly. Typically, pain is experienced when stretching or extending the affected joint. Limited range of motion occurs with or without pain.
Disabling joint pain. Sudden inability to move a joint. Excessive swelling, redness, bruising or a rash in the affected area. Sharp or shooting pain, especially when you exercise or exert yourself.
Take an over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Is septic bursitis serious? Unlike aseptic bursitis, which is not infectious, septic bursitis is a potentially serious condition that requires prompt medical treatment to resolve. If not treated appropriately, the infection can spread nearby to other joints, soft tissues, and bone.
Another important difference is that arthritis is a chronic condition that worsens over time, whereas bursitis normally clears up over a few weeks.
What bursitis feels like. Trochanteric bursitis brings warmth, swelling and pain to your outer thigh that can spread down to your knee. Walking intensifies the pain, limping is common and climbing steps can become difficult. Tenderness on the side you're lying on may interfere with sleep.
Bursitis is usually short-lived, lasting a few hours to a few days. If you don't rest, it can make your recovery longer. When you have chronic bursitis, painful episodes last several days to weeks.
your symptoms have not improved or are getting worse after treating it yourself for 1 to 2 weeks. you have a high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery. you cannot move the affected joint. you have very severe, sharp or shooting pains in the joint.
Bursitis may go away over time with self-care. If it doesn't, a primary care doctor will focus on reducing pain and inflammation and preserving mobility. The doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist, an orthopedic surgeon or a physical therapist for specialized treatment.
Activities or positions that put pressure on the hip bursa, such as lying down, sitting in one position for a long time, or walking distances can irritate the bursa and cause more pain.
If you have chronic bursitis, try to minimize flare-ups by stretching each day to increase range of motion. And avoid activities that you know will result in pain. Repetitive-motion activities are especially bad for bursitis. If you do have a flare up, remember that resting your hip is important.
As part of a nonsurgical treatment plan, doctors at NYU Langone may recommend an injection of corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma, or stem cells to relieve pain and swelling and encourage healing.
Chronic pain: Untreated bursitis can lead to a permanent thickening or enlargement of the bursa, which can cause chronic inflammation and pain. Muscle atrophy: Long term reduced use of joint can lead to decreased physical activity and loss of surrounding muscle.
Pain that doesn't go away
If you continue to have bursitis pain at the hip that has not improved despite extensive treatment, you may have a tear of a muscle located next to the bursa called the gluteus medius. A tear of this muscle can cause significant pain that extends into the buttocks and down the leg.
The swelling and redness may spread away from the affected site and go up or down the arm. Also, an infected bursa can make you feel very sick, feverish and tired. If you have any of these symptoms, it is very important to seek immediate medical attention. Traumatic bursitis presents with the rapid onset of swelling.
Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed due to repetitive movements and excessive strain on the joints. Other causes include trauma in the joint due to an injury and infection.
The condition is called elbow bursitis and there are complications from it. Early treatment includes the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method, but if the symptoms remain and the swollen bursa becomes infected, surgery may be necessary to treat it.
Medical Imaging to Diagnose Hip Bursitis
MRI scans: An MRI can confirm or rule out other hip pain-related diagnoses by providing a detailed view of the hip's soft tissue. Images from the test can show swollen bursae or damaged tendons.
Exercise is often prescribed to improve joint pain, so walking could be a vital part of managing your bursitis symptoms.
Since prepatellar bursitis is quite superficial, topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren Gel) can be very effective, with minimal systemic side effects.