Conditions
Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the small fluid sac under the skin, known as the bursa, becomes inflamed between the joints, bones and tendons. Bursa cushions the bones, muscles and joints as they rub against each other during movement and also produce a lubricating liquid which helps to reduce friction in the body.
The cause of bursitis is usually a result of injury or repetitive movement, but it can be due to an infection, obesity or as a complication of gout or arthritis. Any bursa can become inflamed but the most common swellings occur in the shoulder, the elbow, the ankle, the knee (often nicknamed housemaid’s knee), the buttocks, the hip and the thigh. The risk of bursitis increases if you regularly do an activity repetitively. For instance, gardeners and carpet fitters can develop housemaid’s knee as a result of constant kneeling.
The symptoms of bursitis are usually quite mild and the condition often goes away on its own within a couple of weeks, but it has been suggested that 1 in every 200 visits to the GP is because of bursitis. When bursitis occurs the affected area normally feels warm to touch, appears swollen or be painful when moved. If a fever is a symptom in addition to the swelling, then it is important to see a doctor as this is usually a sign of an infection.
Treatment normally only requires a self-care approach known as PRICEM. This stands for protection (e.g. padding), rest, ice, compression (e.g. a bandage), elevation and medication (ibuprofen is recommended). If the case of bursitis is particularly severe then steroids or antibiotics can be prescribed. A doctor could also aspirate the bursa by inserting a needle into the affected area to draw out the excess fluid. Severe chronic bursitis can sometimes require surgery to remove the bursa but this is usually only as a last resort.
Bursitis can easily be prevented by protecting joints like using a knee pad, taking regular breaks from repetitive actions, warming up before exercise and strengthening the muscles using physiotherapy to give extra protection.
Comments and Questions
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Both shoulders are frozen been like this for over two years because the doctors refused to x-ray. In a lot of pain. Could you please tell me if this affects the muscles in back. Been taking Tramadol for two months. Thank you.
I'm in 20 I've had bursitis for 2 years now since I was 18 It was caused by work but I never got compo because I was too scared to have a law suit with them but I can't afford to have it fixed I can't get a propper job can't brush my hair it gets so bad I can't even sleep and end up crying. I need major help but how ? I get put on a waiting list then get sent to nurses at my local doctors no1 can help me properly that it's gotten so bad.
why is my side and hip so sore feel a burning sensation down my side and severe pain
I am Carol I am 56 years old.I have had bursitis for over 4 years. I have Just had a operation to take the bursa out. I had it done in November. I am recovering now at home. I have to have physio every 2 weeks. The hip pain has gone. But I get back pain now. But Doctor said it might go with exercise. As the top of my leg is so tight due to limp. I do exercise to loosen it up. Just to say op worked for me. I am hoping to go back to work soon.
Hi Carol I am 52 years old. I too have suffered with trochanteric bursitis for getting onto 5 years. You are the only person I have heard of having an operation. Each day I take MST continus (morphine) and Diclofenic. Is the operation a big one and do you expect to make a full recovery and be pain free?
I have had a hip bursa for 3yrs now, the .pain is awful and is affecting my whole leg, i have been told that i just have to live with it, as i am a very active person (well i was)How did you manage to get an op.Needless to say the thought of living the rest of my life like this is totally depressing
Hi, I'm Nick. I'm now 16 but I've had a constant knee pain for about 3 or 4 years now. I've tried icing it and everything else, but no such luck. Any ideas?
i have a clicky hip. why? i went to my doctor and he said it was natural but its very sore, it "locks" for about 10 seconds, then clicks loudly and stops hurting but this can happen up to 40 times a day for me. any help would be GREATLY GREATLY appreciated.
hi i'm 13 when and i'm getting a growth spurt i'm quite tall for my age when ever i walk it feels like somthings scraping my knee
I have been told I have bursitis in my shoulder from a rugby tackle gone wrong... I've had it for 2 years now and the doctor isn't helping at all. I've started the gym to make my shoulder stronger, use ice and ibuprofen but my shoulder still hurts and often pops out it's socket. Any suggestions?
I have trochanteric bursitis in both hips,I have tried ibuforen but they make me sick and a steriod injection only in one which did not work,the pain is there all the time and its making me not want to go out as the pain is bad is there any help !!!
HI I HAVE BURSITAS WHICH STARTED IN MY RIGHT HIP. I HAD CORTISONE INJECTION WHICH DIDNOT HELP. I NOW HAVE BURSITAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MY KNEE AND SHINS. THE PAIN I GET IS VERY PAINFUL,AND IS WORSE WHEN I AM IN BED THE PAIN WAKES ME UP.I AM ON PAIN RELIEF AND FENTANYL PATCHES BUT I STILL GET THIS HORRID PAIN .WHAT MAKES IT WORSE IS THAT IT IS STARTING IN MY LEFT HIP DOWN TO MY KNEE BACK AND FRONT.
Hiya I suffered a stroke at 27 yrs old and was in hospital for nearly 3 years to learn how to walk again , i now walk with a crutch and got a limp and no use of my right arm. I was at the doctor about 1 month ago with sevre back , hip , knee and ankle pain and i cannot lie on my right side at all coz it's to sore and the doctors that i've seen said theres nothing they can do coz i'm on warfrin and told me to keep taking the painkillers , referred me to physio but it's not working , what else can i do i'm in pain ? x
Im 14 and i have this quite alot i get a massive migraine and it looks like im having a stroke i was prescribed some drugs but they didnt work usually it happens after i eat a certain sweet jus see if theres any realtion to what you eat and when you get them :)
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