What is bursitis?

Bursitis is an often-painful condition affecting small sacs within joints that cushion your tendons, bones, and muscles. It causes inflammation of these fluid-filled sacs, often leading to elbow pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain. The discomfort may also appear in your heels or toes. Treatment offers you the relief you deserve. 

What are the symptoms of bursitis?

The hallmark symptoms of bursitis include:

• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• Achiness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Dull aching
• Disabling discomfort
• Reduced mobility
• Bruising
• Sharp pain
• Reduced range of motion

Your symptoms may subside with rest and home remedies. In other cases, however, medical intervention is the best way to feel better and restore normal mobility.

What are the risk factors for bursitis?

The risk factors for developing bursitis include:

• Repetitive motions
• Heaving lifting
• Playing sports
• Prolonged kneeling
• Trauma 
• Injuries
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Infections
• Aging
• Physically demanding jobs
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Adopting healthy habits, maintaining an ideal body weight, and not overtraining or using poor form when lifting heavy objects decrease your chance of developing bursitis. Take frequent breaks when performing repetitive motions, and get regular exercise to strengthen your joints and muscles.

How does my specialist diagnose bursitis?

To determine if you have bursitis, a Pain Medicine Group provider asks about your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. They examine painful joints and may order lab tests, X-rays, ultrasound, an MRI, or other imaging procedures before tailoring your treatment plan. 

How is bursitis treated?

Your Pain Medicine Group provider might suggest one or more of the following treatments for bursitis:

• Rest
• Ice 
• Heating pads
• Cushioning your knees
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Injections
• Assistive devices
• Surgery

Sometimes an inflamed bursa may require surgical drainage, but conservative options often work to reduce your discomfort.  

Your pain management specialist follows up to ensure the treatment is effective and offers repeat treatments as needed to restore musculoskeletal functioning and eliminate discomfort.

It’s important to eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, minimize stress, avoid smoking, and ease into physical activity as directed by your provider. Call the office any time you have concerns or questions.

Schedule an evaluation at Pain Medicine Group by phone or book one online today to get screened or treated for bursitis.