What are the symptoms of bursitis?

Bursitis causes swelling and pain around muscles and bones, especially around joints. Bursae are found throughout the body, but bursitis is most common in shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.

What causes bursitis?

Bursitis is usually caused by overusing a joint, but it can also be caused by direct trauma. Kneeling or leaning your elbows on a hard surface for a long time can make you more likely to get bursitis.

Is there a test for bursitis?

To diagnose bursitis, your doctor will probably ask questions about your medical history and conduct a physical examination. Your doctor will probably ask you to describe your pain and will ask when and where you hurt and whether anything makes the pain better or worse.

Your doctor may also do other tests, such as:

• Touching the joint to see whether the tendons, which are another part of your joints, are swollen.
• X-rays, which do not show the bursae, but can help rule out other problems.
• A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, which can show whether the bursae is swollen.
• Taking fluid from the swollen area to test for an infection.

How is bursitis treated?

Treating bursitis can reduce pain and swelling. Some common treatments include:

• Resting and elevating the injured area.
• Limiting your activity, in order to reduce further injury.
• Taking medicines that will reduce swelling, such as aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen.
• Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Applying compression to the injured area.
• Putting a brace, splint, or band on the injured joint.

If an infection is causing your bursitis, your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics. Your doctor may also recommend ice for sudden, severe injuries, but most cases of bursitis are long term, and ice does not help.

If your bursitis does not improve, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid medicine into the area surrounding the inflamed bursa. Although these injections are common, they must be used with caution because they can lead to weakening or rupture of tendons. If your bursitis does not improve after 6 months to a year, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair damage and relieve pressure on your bursae.

Who treats bursitis?

Several types of health care professionals may treat you, including:

• A primary care physician.
• Physical therapists, who help to improve joint function.
• Orthopaedists, who treat and perform surgery for bone and joint diseases. 
• Rheumatologists, who treat arthritis and other disease of the bones, joints, and muscles.

Can I prevent bursitis?

Bursitis typically happens when a person overuses their joints. Here are some tips to protect your joints:

• Exercise regularly.
• Start new activities or exercise regimens slowly, so you can see if an exercise is putting too much stress on your joints.
• Take breaks from repetitive tasks often.
• Use two hands to hold heavy tools, and use a two-handed backhand in tennis.
• Don’t sit still for long periods.
• Practice good posture throughout the day.