What we Treat / Bursitis

We all have hundred’s of bursa throughout our bodies. The function of a bursa is to decrease friction between two surfaces that move in different directions. Bursa are found at points where muscles and tendons glide over bones. Without the bursa between these surfaces, movements would be painful.

Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa which in turn losses its gliding capabilities, and becomes more and more irritated when it is moved, which is painful and irritating.

What causes bursitis?

Bursitis usually results from a repetitive movement or due to prolonged and excessive pressure.

Another cause of bursitis is a traumatic injury. Following trauma, such as a car accident or fall, a patient may develop bursitis. Usually a contusion causes swelling within the bursa. The bursa, which had functioned normally up until that point, now begins to develop inflammation, and bursitis results. Once the bursa is inflamed, normal movements and activities can become painful.

Systemic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may also lead to bursitis. These types of conditions can make patients susceptible to developing bursitis.

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Symptoms of Bursitis

Bursitis can be diagnosed by our Physios on physical examination. Findings consistent with bursitis include:

• Tenderness directly over the bursa
• Pain with movement of overlying muscles and tendons
• Swelling of the bursa

There is a small risk that an inflamed bursa can become infected. If you have any sign of infection associated with bursitis you should alert your doctor immediately. Signs of infection include:

• Open wounds around the area of bursitis
• Redness of increasing warmth the skin
• Other signs of infection such as fevers, chills, and sweats

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Treatment of Bursitis

Our Physios role in treating Bursitis is as follows:

Advice of the correct way to protect the area, including elastic bandaging or immobilizing brace around the joint until the inflammation subsides. Depending on our diagnosis we may recommend that you see your GP to discuss anti-inflammatory medication.

Once inflammation has reduced, we can assist in ensuring that Bursitis does not keep reoccurring.

Proper strengthening technique can help you avoid bursitis by using your muscles in a safe, more efficient manner. For example, patients with shoulder bursitis can learn ways to move the shoulder that will not cause inflammation. We do advise that you should not begin exercises until the inflammation of bursitis has resolved!

Bursitis due to underlying conditions such as arthritis and gout are more difficult to treat and recur more frequently. The best management in these situations is to do your best to avoid flare-ups of gouty attacks or arthritic episodes, and to avoid activities which you have learned cause bursitis.