What is bursitis?

Bursitis is inflammation of one of the sacs around tendons or muscles that allow them to have smoother movements.  With bursitis, you will have severe pain anytime your muscles or tendons move. This causes pain when there is movement of the joint or even pressure on the joint.  The pain can be mild or severe and may last for days, weeks, or months.  This can happen around the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows or buttocks. Repetitive movements, such as throwing, painting or yard work, can frequently trigger an attack of bursitis, especially if not done regularly. 

There are many different causes of bursitis, but the most common type is caused by wear-and-tear changes and repetitive movements of the muscles and tendons as they slide through the bursa sac. For example, bursitis in the shoulder can happen after overdoing your activities around the house on the weekend. This can make it very painful just to lift your arm above your shoulder. An injury can also cause inflammation of the area and pain on movement. Your doctor can make sure there are no other causes like infection present which need specific treatment. If it is just bursitis, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) may be prescribed along with moist heat and rest, then gradually increasing exercise.

Bursitis is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac called the bursa, which helps to lubricate joints. Bursae are found in high-friction places in the body, such as under tendons and skin or between a tendon and bone.

(This answer provided for NATA by the Gustavus Adolphus College Athletic Training Education Program.)

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a small sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates an area where tissues including bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, or skin rub against one another. Bursae are located throughout the body, in and on joints and other places that are at risk of rubbing or pressure.

Bursitis can be caused by prolonged or repeated pressure on a bursa or by activities that require repeated twisting or rapid joint movement. It can also be caused by trauma or by infection or systemic diseases such as arthritis. Symptoms of bursitis may include:

• Pain, especially with motion or pressure on the involved bursa.

• Swelling caused by increased fluid within the bursa.

• Redness and warmth.

Bursitis can often be treated at home by resting, applying ice or cold packs to the affected area, and avoiding the activities that irritate the area or cause pain. If the area is warm and red, an infection may also be present. This requires medical evaluation.

Traumatic bursitis is bleeding in a bursa caused by a direct blow to the bursa.

Septic bursitis is an infection of a bursa, which sometimes results from traumatic bursitis. Septic bursitis requires medical treatment. This may include surgery and/or a hospital stay for intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy.