We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Bursitis?

By Jane Harmon
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 46,962
Share

Bursitis is a common sports-related injury and can also be an occupational hazard if a person's job requires repetitive motions over extended periods. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac inside the joint. It lies between a joint bone and the muscle or tendon that covers it, and serves as padding or a shock-absorber, protecting the soft tissue from damage due to friction against the hard bone. In vigorous or repetitive movement, the friction of the bone on the bursa can cause inflammation of the sac, leading to pain and swelling. This condition is called bursitis and can occur in any joint. Shoulders, knees and elbows are the most common sites of this condition.

Common bursitis is caused by overuse of the muscle covering the bursa, but infectious bursitis is a condition in which the bursa itself becomes infected. If the pain is accompanied by fever or swollen glands, it may be an infection. Such cases should be treated by a medical professional, usually with antibiotics if it's caused by bacteria. Some cases may require that the infected bursa be drained.

Bursitis takes up to six weeks to heal completely, although major pain symptoms will often, with treatment, clear up within three weeks. Resting the effected joint is critical, since further exertion can cause more damage that might take longer to heal or require more invasive treatments. Icing the effected joint will both reduce the swelling and dull the pain, but will also lessen circulation to the joint. Topical skin creams that contain menthol can reduce the pain and increase circulation to the area, and are often preferable to ice in this situation.

Common cases are treated with anti-inflammatories and sometimes with a shot of cortisone directly in the joint. Long-term use of cortisone can damage cartilage and deplete the bones of minerals, so this treatment is used sparingly. People can reduce their chances of bursitis by stretching joints that are prone to the condition; this lengthens the muscle and tendons and gives them more "slack," making it less likely that the bursa will be irritated by friction against the bone.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By stoneMason — On Dec 04, 2012

@fBoyle-- Have you tried pool exercises and physical therapy?

My wife did this for her ankle bursitis and it helped a lot.

By fBoyle — On Dec 04, 2012

@ankara-- Oh you don't need to work on a production line to get bursitis. It can develop doing relatively normal activities too.

I have a hip bursitis diagnosis and it's because of my jogging. I've been jogging regularly for the past ten years. I would have never thought it would be a problem. I've had to take a break from jogging to heal but my bursitis hasn't improved at all. There is persistent inflammation on my right hip and walking very quickly and jogging give me pain.

By bluedolphin — On Dec 03, 2012

I'm guessing that people who work in production lines suffer from this condition a lot. Because they are constantly repeating the same movements all day and every day.

I had a job on a production line for only a week and I couldn't take it even for that short duration! My arms would be extremely sore by the time I got home because I kept doing the same movement with them all day. I don't know how people manage to work like this for many years. I'm sure they develop chronic bursitis in the process.

By anon35584 — On Jul 06, 2009

good information

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-bursitis.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.