Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply someone who enjoys sitting a bit too long in one spot, bursitis could be lurking around the corner.
Bursitis basics – symptoms and solutions
Simply put, bursitis is inflammation of the bursa.
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between your bone and soft tissue (muscles, tendons and skin). Its job is to reduce friction and make movement smooth and pain-free. But when that sac gets inflamed, it’s no longer a happy camper, and that’s when bursitis comes into play.
Common causes are joint injury and overuse and the most common sites of bursitis are the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and heel.
The symptoms of bursitis may include:
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Localised pain
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Swelling
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Tenderness
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Limited joint movement
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A warm feeling in or around the affected area
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Increased pain at night
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Pain that becomes worse with movement
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Stiffness
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Reddening of the skin in the affected area
Causes
Bursitis is commonly caused by overuse of a joint, especially by doing the same movements many times.
The movements might be:
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Through work, such as sitting for long periods of time
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Hobbies, such as gardening
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Sport, such as playing tennis, squash and jogging
Bursitis can also be caused by an injury to the joint, and by conditions that cause swelling such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Diabetes can also be a cause.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis may include investigating and ruling out any other possible causes.
Tests performed to confirm or rule out bursitis may include:
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Physical examination
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Medical history
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X-rays, to rule out the possibility of any other condition
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Ultrasound
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Taking fluid from the bursa to rule out the possibility of infection
Treatment
Bursitis can often be treated at home, especially if you can avoid the activity that might have triggered it.
It usually improves with ‘RICE’:
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Rest
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Ice packs
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Compression
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Elevation
For severe pain, your doctor might refer you to a specialist radiologist for an injection of corticosteroid medicine into or around the bursa.
Long-term management
While you might not be able to prevent bursitis, you can prevent flare-ups by making changes to how you normally move.
To prevent work-related bursitis:
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Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment
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Take regular breaks
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Do simple stretching exercises regularly throughout your day
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Keep benches at waist height so that your shoulders can relax
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Avoiding or changing how you carry out the repeated activity
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Maintaining good posture
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Wearing the right footwear
To prevent sport-related bursitis:
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Warm up thoroughly by stretching and gently going through the motions of your sport
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Make sure you use the correct technique and regularly practise strengthening and conditioning exercises that complement your sport
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Cool down thoroughly with gentle stretches
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Make sure your footwear and equipment are appropriate for you.
Your doctor, physiotherapist or occupational therapist can give you specific advice, including how to:
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Make your work environment is ergonomically suitable
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Warm up and cool down with stretches before sport
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Exercise to strengthen muscles around the joint
You should seek medical advice if you have painful, stiff and swollen joints and a fever, or if you symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.
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