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Bursitis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Live a pain free and active life by treating bursitis with a combination of advanced treatments.
Overview
What Is Bursitis?
Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints. When these bursae become inflamed, the resulting condition—bursitis—can cause significant discomfort, limit mobility, and interfere with daily activities.
At Compass Pain and Wellness, we take a multidisciplinary approach to managing bursitis, combining advanced therapies like Tecar and Shockwave with physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and interventional pain management for optimal patient outcomes.
Expert Analysis
Understanding Bursitis
Bursae are essential for smooth, pain-free movement of muscles and tendons over bones. There are over 150 bursae in the human body, commonly located near major joints such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. When one of these sacs becomes irritated or inflamed, bursitis develops. While bursitis can affect anyone, it is more common in older adults and individuals engaged in repetitive activities.
Common Symptoms of Bursitis
The signs and symptoms of bursitis typically develop near joints and include:
- Localized pain: Often sharp or aching, worsening with movement or pressure on the affected area.
- Swelling: Especially visible and palpable in superficial bursae such as those near the elbow or knee.
- Tenderness: Pain on palpation over the inflamed bursa.
- Stiffness or limited range of motion: Particularly in shoulder or hip bursitis.
Warmth and redness: In cases of septic bursitis, where infection is present.
triggers
What Causes Bursitis?
Bursitis may result from a variety of causes. Understanding these risk factors allows for more targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Some of the potential causes include:
Repetitive Motion Or Overuse
Repeated pressure or friction (e.g., throwing, kneeling, climbing stairs).
Acute Trauma
A direct blow to a joint can inflame the bursa.
Prolonged Pressure
Frequent kneeling or leaning on elbows.
Infection
Bacteria can enter through a skin wound and infect the bursa (septic bursitis).
Systemic Conditions
Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or diabetes can predispose individuals to bursitis.
Age
Tendons become less elastic and more susceptible to injury with age.
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What Happens If Bursitis Is Left Untreated?
If bursitis is not treated appropriately, several complications can arise.
Early intervention is key to preventing progression and maintaining joint function.
Chronic Bursitis
Inflammation becomes long-standing, leading to thickening of the bursa walls and persistent pain.
Tendon Rupture
Nearby tendons may weaken due to prolonged inflammation.
Joint Stiffness
Ongoing pain can limit joint use, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility.
Muscle Atrophy
Reduced use of the affected area can result in weakening of surrounding muscles.
Infection Spread
In cases of septic bursitis, untreated infection can extend to adjacent tissues or enter the bloodstream.
solutions
Our Approach for Bursitis
Bursitis can be a persistent and painful condition that prevents you from doing the activities you love. This may impact mobility, work, hobbies, and even emotional well-being, making everyday tasks more challenging
Take the next step to schedule your evaluation today
At Compass Pain and Wellness, the first treatment step will always be a detailed evaluation with your doctor to give you the answers you need. Next, our team will build a plan of care tailored to your specific pathology. This may involve advanced medical treatments as well as supportive therapies to address all aspects of your bursitis.
evaluation
How To Diagnose Bursitis
Diagnosing Bursitis begins with a thorough evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination. This will consider the onset, duration, and severity of symptoms, aggravating and relieving factors, and palpation and range-of-motion tests to locate the originating source of your symptoms. Early and accurate diagnosis of bursitis is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan and preventing further complications.
Imaging Tests
X-ray can be used to rule out arthritis or fractures but doesn’t show bursae well. An ultrasound may be useful for visualizing fluid accumulation and guiding aspiration, and an MRI will provide detailed soft tissue images to helps confirm diagnosis in complex cases.
Lab Tests
If septic bursitis is suspected, aspiration and fluid analysis may be performed in which fluid is drawn from the bursa to check for infection or crystals (gout/pseudogout).
Conservative Therapies
At Compass Pain and Wellness, we employ a comprehensive, integrative approach that begins with conservative care and progresses to interventional options if needed.
TECAR Therapy
Tecar therapy can help treat bursitis by delivering deep heat through radiofrequency energy, which reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and supports tissue regeneration in the affected bursa.
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
- Uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in chronic bursitis
- Can be beneficial in calcific bursitis of the shoulder or trochanteric bursitis
Physical Therapy
- Strengthening and stretching exercises to support surrounding muscles
- Postural training and joint stabilization
- Ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation for inflammation
- Patient education on ergonomic and movement modifications
Chiropractic Care
- Joint mobilization to improve alignment and decrease biomechanical stress
- Soft tissue techniques to reduce tension and support joint mechanics
- Home exercise recommendations to prevent recurrence
Acupuncture
- Stimulates natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins) and improves blood flow
- Studies support its effectiveness in reducing inflammation and chronic pain [4]
Massage Therapy
- Promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling
- Trigger point therapy to relieve referred pain and muscle tension
Activity Modification
- Avoiding movements that aggravate symptoms
- Using cushioning (e.g., knee pads) and ergonomic aids
Medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and swelling
- Topical analgesics for localized relief
Advanced Treatment Approaches
When conservative measures are inadequate, the following advanced treatments may be considered:
Corticosteroid Injections
- Injected directly into the bursa to reduce inflammation
- Highly effective in many cases, especially in shoulder and hip bursitis [5]
- Should be used sparingly due to potential side effects with repeated use
Needle Aspiration
- Removes excess fluid to relieve pressure and analyze for infection
- Often combined with corticosteroid injection
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
- Utilizes the patient’s own blood platelets to stimulate tissue healing
- Promising results in treating chronic inflammation and tendon-bursa interface pathology [6]
Surgical Options
- Rarely needed, but may be necessary for infected bursae or in cases of chronic, treatment-resistant bursitis
- Surgical removal (bursectomy) may be performed arthroscopically or via open procedure
Our integrative care team works collaboratively to customize each treatment plan to the patient’s unique condition and lifestyle goals.
Ready to Transform?
Schedule Your Treatment Today
Bursitis is a common and often debilitating condition that can significantly impact mobility and quality of life. Fortunately, with early diagnosis and comprehensive care, most patients recover fully. At Compass Pain and Wellness, we provide integrative, patient-centered care that combines physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, and interventional procedures to treat bursitis effectively.
If you are experiencing joint pain, swelling, or limited movement, schedule a consultation with our expert team today. We are here to help you return to a pain-free, active life.
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