There is no definitive recovery time but it typically ranges from 4 weeks to 6 months. When the bursitis is the result of a physical injury, the recovery is simpler and can be treated within a few days to weeks.
Bursitis is when a joint becomes painful and swollen. It can usually be treated at home and should go away in a few weeks.
Bursitis usually lasts for only days or weeks, but it can last months or years, especially if the cause, such as overuse, is not identified or changed.
Treatment. 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.
Bursitis is usually a short-term issue that's caused by overusing or putting excess stress on a bursa around one of your joints. It doesn't create long-lasting damage unless you continue to stress the area.
Consult your doctor if you have: Disabling joint pain. Sudden inability to move a joint. Excessive swelling, redness, bruising or a rash in the affected area.
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.
Exercise is often prescribed to improve joint pain, so walking could be a vital part of managing your bursitis symptoms.
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.
Since prepatellar bursitis is quite superficial, topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren Gel) can be very effective, with minimal systemic side effects.
Massage can feel good, and myofascial release therapy (a type of massage) may decrease the pain of a sore joint. However, do not massage the affected area if your bursitis is caused by an infection; you may inadvertently promote the spread of the infectious agent throughout the body.
Massage therapy has been found to be an effective treatment for both acute and chronic cases of shoulder bursitis. In addition to providing relief from pain, massage can also reduce inflammation, increase the range of motion, and improve overall function in the affected area.
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.
Acute bursitis can become chronic if it comes back or if a hip injury occurs. Over time, the bursae may become thick, which can make swelling worse. This can lead to limited movement and weakened muscles (called atrophy) in the area.
Bursitis can subdivide into three phases: acute, chronic and recurrent.
Foods that can trigger inflammation may make your pain worse so these are ones to avoid if you can. This includes processed foods (ready meals, sliced meat), caffeine, fizzy juice, sugars (cakes, biscuits etc.), and alcohol.
Resting the affected area and using bandages and anti-inflammatory medications usually helps to make the inflammation go away. Antibiotics are used if bacteria are involved. If the symptoms don't improve, surgery to remove the inflamed bursa is considered.
Recurrent stress injuries cause chronic bursitis. In most cases, the level of pain and swelling experienced is lower than the acute type, but the condition is long-lasting. If you ignore the stress and leave it untreated, the risk of complications will increase.
There are several ways to get bursitis, but the condition is usually caused by too much stress on the bursa.
The prognosis of bursitis is usually very good. Sometimes adjustment of activities ultimately leads to the best outcome. Infectious bursitis can require surgical resection of the bursa and antibiotics for cure. Gouty and calcific bursitis can often recur, and if chronic, may require excision of the bursa.
Traumatic bursitis is most common before age 35. Bursitis is associated with occupations that require repetitive movements and/or prolonged pressure on the joints.
While aseptic (non-infected) bursitis may be a common condition that can be treated at home, septic bursitis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Bursa injections contain steroids that soothe bursitis inflammation and joint pain. The steroid injection eases symptoms of hip bursitis, shoulder bursitis and other types of bursitis. If injections don't relieve symptoms, you may need surgery.