Bursitis is painful swelling in a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa. Bursae (the plural of bursa) cushion spaces around bones and other tissue. They’re like bubble wrap that protects structures throughout your body. Bursae cushion the spaces between bones and your:
Bursitis happens when a bursa becomes irritated and swells. The most common causes of bursitis are overuse and putting too much pressure on a bursa. The pain from an inflamed bursa may develop suddenly or build up over time.
What are bursitis symptoms?
The most common symptoms of bursitis are:
Pain, especially when you’re moving the affected part of your body.
A limited range of motion (how far you can move a body part).
Swelling.
If you have an infection that’s causing bursitis, you might have other symptoms, including:
Usually, rest is all you’ll need to treat bursitis. Avoid the activity or positions that irritated your bursa.
Taking a break from activities that put pressure on that part of your body will give it time to heal and prevent further injury. Ask your provider how long you’ll need to rest and avoid physical activities.
Your provider might suggest at-home treatments to reduce the pain and swelling while your bursa heals:
Elevate the injured area.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. Don’t take pain relievers for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider.
Ice the area. Apply a cold compress or ice packs wrapped in a thin towel to the area for 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
Apply heat (like a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel). Your provider might suggest alternating ice and heat.
Wear a splint, sling or brace to keep the injured area supported.
Most cases of bursitis heal on their own with rest and at-home treatments. But your provider may recommend additional treatment options, including:
Corticosteroid injections to decrease inflammation and pain.
Surgery to resect (remove) your bursa if other treatments aren’t effective and you’re still experiencing symptoms for six months or longer.
How is bursitis diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will diagnose bursitis with a physical exam. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and examine the area around your affected body part. Tell your provider what you were doing before you noticed symptoms for the first time and if your job or a hobby requires you to do a repetitive motion.
What tests are done to diagnose bursitis?
Your provider might use some tests to diagnose bursitis, including:
Your Family, Our Responsibility !