Understanding Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Written by Osteopath Georgia Hutchinson

Bursa = Fluid Filled Sacs

Itis = Inflammation

Bursitis = Inflamed Bursa

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is a condition that causes pain and swelling in small fluid-filled sacs called bursae. These sacs act as cushions between bones and soft tissues, helping your joints move smoothly.

When bursae become inflamed, they can cause pain and limit your movement. This can last for weeks or even months, which is why it is important to understand the treatments that are available to you.

What Causes Bursitis?

Bursitis can be caused by repetitive movements, prolonged pressure on a joint, injury, infection, or conditions like arthritis. Bursitis most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, but it may occur in any joint in the body.

How is Bursitis Diagnosed?

1. Medical History and Physical Examination: During your consultation, your osteopath will assess your symptoms, activity levels, and recognise any recent injuries. Your examination will likely involve the following:

Active Range of Motion: performed by the patient without any assistance.

Passive Range of Motion: performed by the osteopath by using gentle movement of the joint through its full range of motion while the patient remains relaxed and does not assist in any way.

Specific Musculoskeletal Testing: These different tests allow practitioners to make a more informed specific and sensitive diagnosis.

2. Imaging Tests: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or ultrasound can help visualise the affected bursae and rule out other conditions, as well as provide a specific diagnosis and location of the affected bursae.

How is Bursitis Treated?

Bursitis can make everyday tasks like dressing, lifting groceries, washing hair, or sleeping on the affected side difficult. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation and improve joint function to enhance your quality of life.

Conservative Treatments:

Rest: Avoid activities that cause pain.
Ice and Heat Therapy: Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain, then heat packs to relax muscles and improve circulation.
Osteopathic Treatment: Manual therapies and exercises prescribed by your osteopath can relieve pain and increase your range of motion.
Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen can help manage symptoms.

Interventional Treatments:

Corticosteroid Injections: These injections directly into the inflamed bursa can reduce inflammation and pain.
Aspiration: Removing excess fluid from the bursa can relieve symptoms and help diagnose infections.

How to Prevent Bursitis:

While not all cases of bursitis can be prevented, certain lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:

Use Appropriate Techniques: When engaging in repetitive activities or sports, use proper techniques to avoid unnecessary strain on the joints.
Take Breaks: Avoid prolonged periods of repetitive motion or pressure on the joints by taking frequent breaks or changing positions.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight may put additional stress on the joints, increasing the risk of bursitis.
Exercise Regularly: Strengthening the muscles around the joints and maintaining flexibility may help to prevent bursitis. If you need advice on particular exercises, you can always seek assistance from our osteopaths or an exercise physiologist.
Warm Up and Stretch: Always warm up and stretch before physical activity to prepare your muscles and joints.

Fun Facts!

- The human body has about 160 bursae.

- Not all bursae are present at birth; some form as we grow.

- The fluid inside a bursa is similar to raw egg whites.

Home Advice for Hip Bursitis

Standing from sitting: to stand up you want to first drive your weight into your feet, push your knees outwards and stand up.
Walking: You can try having a slightly wider stance, shorten your strides and walk slower.
Getting out of the car: rotate your body so that both of your legs are out of the side door, and then follow the standing-from-sitting instructions above.
Bending forwards: Limit positions where you are required to bend forwards at the hip, use your knees and torso instead.
Sleeping: Try placing a pillow between your knees if you're a side sleeper. If you sleep on your back you can place the pillow underneath your knees.
Activities to Limit: Running, Lunging, Jumping, prolonged walking.

Bursitis in hips — Source: https://perthipc.com.au/common-conditions/hip-pain/

Conclusion

Bursitis is a painful condition that can significantly impact your life. However, with the right diagnosis and treatment, most people find relief and return to their daily activities with minimal pain. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of bursitis can help you manage the condition effectively. If you think you have bursitis, consult a healthcare professional for a personalised treatment plan.

Remember, motion is also lotion for our joints, so if it doesn’t hurt, keep moving!

Do you need support with Bursitis?

You can give us a call on 0425 876 929 on book an appointment via the below link.

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