What is Bursitis?

As Rheumatologists, one of the things we treat is conditions called ‘bursitis’.

But what is it?

I often tell people that they have bursitis and they nod knowingly. And others have no idea what it is and it’s the first time they have heard anything about something like this!

Anything in medicine with ‘itis’ on the end of something, means that it is inflamed!!

In this particular case, it means that something called a ‘bursa’ is inflamed. When they are inflamed, they are bigger than normal, and irritated, and they can cause symptoms such as pain and restricted movement in the area where they are inflamed.

What is a bursa?

A bursa is a fluid sack that lies between tissues in the body, such as tendons, bones and muscles near joints. Sometimes they can occur under the skin.

It is a lubricating sack that facilitates smooth movement, such that for example tendons do not grate over one another and get stuck and rip on one another, and tendons do not rub up against ligaments or bones and get damaged or stuck!

When a bursa is inflamed, it is filled with more fluid than usual and it starts to act as an impediment to movement, rather than facilitating movement.

Where are bursae?

Bursae (plural of bursa) occur in many parts of the body.

They commonly occur around joints. The most common areas to be affected with ‘inflammation’ and ‘bursitis’ to be treated, are around the shoulder and the hips.

Bursae also occur around the knee, elbow and wrists and in the feet and around the Achilles tendon area.

The most common bursa issues that I see are in the shoulder and the hip.

The most common conditions I see are inflamed bursas in the subacromial area and sub deltoid area. This means, beneath the acromion and beneath the deltoid muscle.

These conditions are called ‘subacromial bursitis’ and ‘subdeltoid bursitis’.

Around the hip, the most common issue is ‘trochanteric bursitis’, which is inflammation of the trochanteric bursa.

Another common form of bursitis is ‘olecranon bursitis’, where the subcutaneous bursa, called the olecranon bursa, around the elbow, gets red, hot and inflamed and painful.

What are the symptoms of ‘bursitis’?

When bursae are inflamed, they are full of more fluid than usual. This can cause pain, because of the distension of the bursa and also because of the pressure effects. The particular symptoms in each area depend on where the bursa is inflamed.

For example, ‘bursitis’ around the shoulder can cause pain on certain movements, restricted range of movement of the shoulder, and then pain on lying on that shoulder.

Bursitis around the hip can cause pain on movement and pain on lying on the hip, as well as restricting a person’s ability to move and walk freely.

If the bursa is more superficial, such as around the elbow or the ankle, there may be localised redness and swelling.

What causes bursitis?

Usually, the cause is some sort of trauma to the area. It can either be a ‘repetitive’ movement done under strain, or there can be a direct trauma to the area.

Less commonly it can be inflamed as part of an immune inflammatory condition such as an arthritis, or even less commonly, infection.

Treatment of bursitis depends on where the bursa is inflamed and what symptoms are happening, and, what caused it! You will need to speak to your doctor or Rheumatologist more about how to specifically diagnosed AND manage YOUR bursitis!

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And as always, have a spectacular day!