Bursitis (bur-SY-tis) is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs, called bursae (bur-SEE). These sacs cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed, often near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion, such as the shoulder hip and elbow. Bursitis in your knee, heel and the base of the big toe.
Treatment typically involves resting the affected joint, and protecting it from further trauma. In most cases, bursitis pain goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment, but recurrent flare-ups of bursitis are common.
What you might be feeling:
- Pain on raising the arm sideways
- swelling on the upper outside of the arm
- aching on the upper outside of the arm
- night pain – sometimes relieved by lying on the affected side
- restricted mobility in certain positions
The most common causes of bursitis are repetitive motions or positions that irritate the bursae around a joint. Examples include:
- Throwing a baseball or lifting something over your head repeatedly
- Leaning on your elbows for long periods
- Extensive kneeling for tasks such as laying carpet or scrubbing floors
- Prolonged sitting, particularly on hard surfaces
Other causes include:
injury or trauma to the affected area, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and infection.
Think you may be having trouble with bursitis? Our team is here to help!
Call: (902)-370-7322
Email: stratford@reactivehealth.com