Bursitis refers to the irritation or inflammation of a bursa, which is a small
fluid-filled sac that acts as a gliding surface to minimize friction between the
tissues of the body, most commonly at joints. There are more than 150 bursae in
the body that cushion and lubricate areas where the bones, muscles, and tendons
move across one another.

Some of these bursae are located next to the tendons near the larger joints, and
these usually occur in the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles. Bursitis
usually causes pain and stiffness in the tissues surrounding the joints,
instead of pain in the joints themselves..

Diagnosing Bursitis

The diagnosis of bursitis will involve an examination of the affected area. Your
doctor will feel the affected area for swelling, tenderness, and pain. Additional
tests such as X-rays, blood tests or an analysis of fluid withdrawn from an inflamed
bursa may be used to detect other causes of joint inflammation and pain.

Symptoms and Signs of Bursitis

● Pain surrounding the area of the bursa
● Tenderness
● Swelling
● Warmth around the affected area
● Loss of motion in the affected area

Bursitis usually occurs as a result of stress and overuse. Infection, arthritis,
gout, or direct trauma to joints (such as prolonged pressure from kneeling or
resting your elbow on a desk) may also cause bursitis. Bursitis commonly affects
the shoulder, elbow, buttocks, hip, knee and ankle, and is usually caused by
repetitive movements associated with certain activities.

● Shoulder bursitis usually stems from a rotator cuff injury. This type of
injury may be caused by a number of things, including falling, lifting heavy
items, poor posture, or repetitive overhead arm activities.

● Elbow bursitis is related to actions that require you to repeatedly bend and
extend your elbow. You may develop this type of bursitis from leaning on
your elbows, swinging a golf club, or a tennis racket (tennis elbow).

● Buttocks bursitis refers to an inflamed bursa over the bone in the buttocks
– this may be caused by sitting on a hard surface for a long period of time.

● Hip bursitis may be as a result of arthritis or a hip injury. Standing or

sitting for long periods also puts pressure on the hip, which may lead to hip
bursitis. The most common cause of hip pain is hip bursitis.
● Knee bursitis is caused from activities that require repetitive kneeling, such
as gardening or scrubbing the floor (housemaid’s knee). People who are
overweight and suffer from arthritis may also develop bursitis around the
knee.

● Ankle bursitis is caused by uncomfortable footwear, prolonged walking, or
sports such as ice-skating.

What Causes Bursitis?

People who overexert themselves in activities or have arthritis are at risk
of developing bursitis because of altered body alignment and movement. If
the muscles in a particular area of the body are weak or tight, injury to the bursa is
more likely to occur.

For this reason, if you have not participated in physical activity for a while and
suddenly decide to run a few kilometers, you may be setting yourself up for injury.
This happens because you have not conditioned your body for this type of
activity, and generally you would need to ease into it gradually by strengthening
and stretching your muscles.

Preventing Bursitis

These useful tips can help prevent and reduce the recurrence of bursitis.

● Exercise regularly by doing range-of-motion exercises to maintain strength
and flexibility.

● Stretch your muscles or warm up before physical activity.

● Practice good posture by not slouching, walking with a stooped back, or
leaning on your elbows.

● Take regular breaks from daily activities that place repetitive strain on your
muscles or joints.

● Avoid sitting still for long periods, and make an effort to move around more.

● Alternate activities by resting or participating in an activity that does not
cause discomfort.

● Protect your wrists and hands by using utensils or pens with large or foamcovered
handles so that do not clench or grip too tightly.

● Use cushioned chairs and kneeling and elbow pads to protect joints and
provide added support.

● Wear supportive shoes. Avoid wearing shoes that do not fit properly, and
wear heel cups or shoe inserts if required.

● Avoid smoking, as smoking weakens collagen production needed for wound
and tissue healing.