That Other Itis -- Bursitis | Arthritis Information

Do you suffer with dull, persistent joint pain that gets worse when you move? It may be due to bursitis -- a condition that produces some of the same symptoms as arthritis, but affects the tissues surrounding the joint rather than the joint itself.

Bursitis is an inflammation of one of the small fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, that act as cushions in areas of the body where muscles or tendons move over bones or other muscles. The bursae prevent friction by protecting muscles and tendons from coming into direct contact with bones. When a bursa becomes inflamed, pain and swelling result. There are about 150 bursae in the body, but the ones most commonly affected are in the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and feet.

In most cases bursitis results from joint overuse due to repetitive motions. For example, bursitis in the shoulder can be brought on by excessive strain, such as from serving a tennis ball. Other causes of bursitis include:

• Activities that put constant pressure on a bursa (such as resting the elbow on a desk or kneeling)
• A blow or other injury to a bursa
• Inflammatory arthritis, gout, and certain infections

Bursitis is not chronic -- most cases clear up by themselves within a few days to two weeks -- but bursitis can recur unless you adopt protective measures. The best way to prevent bursitis is to avoid activities that require repetitive motions (which is not always possible) and to stay in shape, since well-conditioned muscles are less susceptible to overuse injuries than tight or weak muscles.

Bursitis treatment advice:

• Take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which relieve pain and swelling of bursitis, or acetaminophen, which will relieve pain but won't reduce inflammation.
• Use ice packs for the first 48 hours to relieve pain and swelling. Then, if desired, switch to heat packs, which stimulate blood flow and ease pain.
• To reduce swelling, your doctor may draw excess fluid from the bursa with a syringe and then tightly bandage the joint.
• Your doctor may administer injections of corticosteroids and a local anesthetic to reduce swelling and ease pain of bursitis.
• Gradually resume using the affected joint to prevent stiffening and muscle atrophy.
• Surgery to remove the bursa may be necessary in severe, persistent cases.