Bursitis in Reading

Bursitis is the swelling of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion your joints, often affecting your shoulders, elbows, knees, or hips. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, and usually improves with rest and simple treatments.

What is bursitis?

To explain what is bursitis, it’s important to understand that you have small sacs called bursae between your bones and soft tissue with the function to reduce friction. Bursitis occurs when one of your bursae becomes inflamed, often due to overuse or pressure. The result is pain, especially with movement. It can develop suddenly or gradually, and typically affects joints like your shoulder, elbow, or knee. 

Types of bursitis 

Bursitis can affect any of the 150+ bursae in your body, but it’s most common in the joints exposed to frequent motion or pressure. Below are the main types:

Shoulder Bursitis

Inflammation in your shoulder’s subacromial bursa, often caused by repetitive overhead movement or injury. The pain typically worsens with arm movement.

Elbow Bursitis

Swelling at the tip of your elbow (olecranon bursa), commonly from leaning or bumping the joint. It’s also known as “student’s elbow.”

Knee Bursitis

Occurs around your kneecap or inner knee. Known as “housemaid’s knee,” it’s often linked to kneeling or repetitive strain.

Hip Bursitis

Painful inflammation of the trochanteric bursa in your outer hip. It is aggravated by walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side.

Foot Bursitis

Affects bursae near your heel, toes, or Achilles tendon. It’s often caused by tight footwear or high-impact activity.

Buttocks Bursitis

Also called “weaver’s bottom” this affects the ischial bursa and causes discomfort when sitting on hard surfaces.

Septic Bursitis

A less common type of bursitis caused by infection in the bursa. It requires prompt medical attention and antibiotic treatment.

Bursitis symptoms

Bursitis symptoms typically affect your joints that experience frequent movement or pressure, most commonly your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and feet. If you have bursitis, you may notice:

• Dull, achy pain in or around your joint  

• Tenderness or warmth over the affected area  

• Swelling that may feel soft or firm  

• Redness or discoloration (this may be harder to detect on darker skin tones)  

• Pain that worsens with movement or pressure  

• Limited range of motion in your joint.

If bursitis is caused by an infection (known as septic bursitis), you may experience additional symptoms including:

• Fever or chills  

• Skin that feels hot to the touch  

• Rapid onset of pain and swelling.

When to see a doctor

You should seek medical advice if you experience:

• Severe or disabling joint pain  

• Sudden inability to move the joint

• Excessive swelling, redness, bruising, or rash

• Sharp or shooting pain, especially during activity  

• Fever or signs of infection.

Early treatment can help prevent complications and chronic flare-ups. If your bursitis symptoms persist or worsen after a few days of rest and home care, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.

What causes bursitis?

Bursitis is most often caused by repetitive movements or prolonged pressure on a joint, which irritates the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones and soft tissue.

Common triggers include:

• Repetitive activities like throwing, lifting, scrubbing, or raking

• Occupational strain from carpentry, gardening, or laying flooring

• Sports such as tennis, golf, or baseball

• Poor posture or joint misalignment (e.g. leg length differences, bone spurs)

• Leaning or kneeling for extended periods

• Playing musical instruments with repetitive hand or arm motions.

Other causes:

• Injury or trauma to the joint

• Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout

• Infection (septic bursitis), though less common.

Understanding these causes can help you to take steps to prevent flare-ups and seek timely treatment when symptoms arise.

Bursitis risk factors

There are certain factors that could put you more at risk of bursitis including: 

• Age – your risk increases with age due to wear and tear on joints and reduced tissue elasticity

• Repetitive motion – activities like throwing, lifting, kneeling, or scrubbing can irritate bursae

• Occupational strain – jobs involving manual labour such as carpentry and gardening raise risk

• Sports and hobbies – tennis, golf, skiing, and playing musical instruments involve repetitive joint use

• Poor posture or biomechanics – uneven leg lengths, joint misalignment, or weak core muscles can increase joint stress

• Injury or trauma – falls, bumps, or pressure on joints can inflame bursae

• Underlying health conditions – rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes, and thyroid disease are linked to higher risk

• Infection risk – open wounds near joints can lead to septic bursitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals

• Obesity – excess weight puts added pressure on joints, especially hips and knees.

Bursitis diagnosis

Bursitis is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and targeted tests to confirm inflammation and rule out other conditions. 
Your healthcare provider will begin with a physical examination and a review of your medical history. They’ll ask about when your symptoms started, activities or work that involve repetitive motion or joint pressure, and any recent injuries or infections. During the exam, they’ll check for swelling, tenderness, warmth, and limited movement around your affected joint.

Tests used to diagnose bursitis

If further confirmation is needed, you may be recommended:

• X-rays – not used to confirm bursitis directly, but helpful to rule out fractures or arthritis
• Ultrasound or MRI – these can detect swollen bursae and help differentiate bursitis from other soft tissue issues  
• Blood tests – used to check for signs of infection or inflammation, especially if septic bursitis is suspected  
• Aspiration – a needle may be used to draw fluid from your bursa to test for infection, gout, or other conditions. This can also relieve pressure and reduce symptoms

Early diagnosis helps guide appropriate treatment, whether that’s rest and ice or more advanced care like steroid injections or antibiotics. 

Bursitis treatment

Most cases of bursitis improve with simple self-care, but when symptoms persist or worsen, medical treatment may be needed. Below are the main approaches used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility.

Medication 

Medications are often the first line of treatment for bursitis. These may include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling

• Topical anti-inflammatory creams or patches for localised relief

• Antibiotics if the bursitis is caused by an infection (septic bursitis).

You should always consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication, especially if your symptoms last more than 10 days.

Injections

If pain and inflammation don’t respond to oral medication, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections directly into your affected bursa. These injections can provide fast relief and are often effective after just one dose. Ultrasound guidance may be used to ensure accurate placement.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy helps strengthen surrounding muscles and improve joint function. It may include:

• Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises

• Posture and movement training to reduce joint stress

• Manual therapy to improve mobility and reduce stiffness.

A physiotherapist can tailor a plan to your specific needs and help prevent future flare-ups.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed but may be considered if:

• Your bursitis is chronic and unresponsive to other treatments

• Your bursa is severely inflamed or infected

• You have ongoing pain or mobility issues after six months or more

Surgical options include draining the bursa or removing it entirely. Recovery typically involves rest and rehabilitation.