Bursitis is often mistaken for arthritis because joint pain is a symptom of both conditions. There are various types of arthritis that cause joint inflammation, including the autoimmune response of rheumatoid arthritis or the breaking down of cartilage in the joints in degenerative arthritis.
Gout can mimic bursitis as well, especially at the olecranon, prepatellar, and infrapatellar bursa, as these joints are common locations for the formation of gouty tophi or pain from pseudogout.
The most common causes of bursitis are injury or overuse. Infection may also cause it. Bursitis is also associated with other problems. These include arthritis, gout, tendonitis, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
Ultrasound or MRI might be used if your bursitis can't easily be diagnosed by a physical exam alone. Lab tests. Your doctor might order blood tests or an analysis of fluid from the inflamed bursa to pinpoint the cause of your joint inflammation and pain.
Not only can lateral hip bursitis be misdiagnosed but it can also be present in addition to another condition. In one study researchers found that 91.6% of the patients that they examined had other associated conditions.
Symptoms. Bursitis causes swelling, tenderness and pain in areas around a joint. It will be painful to move the affected joint through its full range of motion. The pain of bursitis can occur suddenly, may last for days or longer and usually gets better with rest or treatment.
Bursitis (bur-SY-tis) is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs — called bursae (bur-SEE) — that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip.
Overview. X ray is not often required in patients with bursitis. X ray may be used as a diagnostic measure to support a clinical diagnosis of bursitis. Joint x ray is generally reserved for patients with history of significant trauma.
Septic bursitis is treated using antibiotics with demonstrated activity against the specific bacterial strain causing the infection. Untreated bursitis will compromise joint health, limit motility, and cause a decline in quality of life.
While some cases of bursitis heal on their own, it's best to involve a doctor if you have pain from a repetitive movement injury or lingering pain after 2 weeks.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tissues in your joints. Tissue damage weakens the joint, putting extra pressure on the bursa.
Bursitis can be rapid in onset (acute) or build up slowly over time (chronic). Acute bursitis is often the result of an injury (bleeding), infection, or inflammatory condition. Chronic bursitis often follows a long period of repetitive use, motion, or compression.
Cases of malignant bursitis have been reported several times in the literature, though nearly all of the instances involved connective tissue or metastatic tumors. Tumor histologies include osteochondroma,8,9 malignant fibrous histiocytoma,10 synovial sarcoma,11 and metastatic breast cancer.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
An MRI is not necessary to diagnose hip bursitis, but may be ordered to confirm or rule out possible diagnoses. An MRI will provide a detailed view of the soft tissue and detect abnormalities such as a swollen bursa or damaged tendon.
A hygroma, also known as a false bursa, is a fluid-filled sac that forms over a joint. It most commonly appears on the elbow, but can appear on other pressure points like where the dog sits (a.k.a., "butt bursas").
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.
When sleeping with shoulder bursitis, you should avoid sleeping on your front or side. Sleeping on your back is best for this condition, though if you simply cannot get to sleep on your back you can try the side-sleeping positions above.
Acute bursitis usually flares over hours or days. Chronic bursitis can last from a few days to several weeks. Chronic bursitis can go away and come back again. Acute bursitis can become chronic if it comes back or if a hip injury occurs.
Since prepatellar bursitis is quite superficial, topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren Gel) can be very effective, with minimal systemic side effects.
Doctors may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce inflammation in the bursa and tendon and relieve pain. These medications are typically recommended for a few weeks while the body heals.
While the symptoms of shoulder bursitis can often be successfully resolved without surgery, there are some cases in which an inflamed bursa will need to be surgically treated in order for a patient to feel relief. An orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine is the best care provider for shoulder bursitis.
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.
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. It is also important to learn the hip bursitis exercises to avoid making the condition worse.
Try glucosamine or omega-3 fatty acids.
Research has shown that over-the-counter glucosamine supplements may help inflammation in bursitis.