Bursitis - Infinity Healthy and Osteo - Warrandyte, Doncaster East and Donvale osteopath

Bursitis

(hip and shoulder)

Bursitis (hip and shoulder)

What is it?

Bursitis is when a small fluid-filled sac called a ‘bursa’, which helps your joints move smoothly, becomes inflamed. The bursa reduces friction between bones, muscles, and tendons. Repetitive movements, overuse, or injury can irritate the bursa, causing swelling, pain, and discomfort. The “-itis” in bursitis means inflammation, so bursitis simply means inflammation of the bursa.

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What are the symptoms?

Pain at the affected joint, especially while moving it!

Stiffness or limited range of motion of the joint

Painful to lay on the affected side

Swelling, warmth or redness around the joint

How is it diagnosed?

Bursitis is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination and sometimes imaging tests.

Medical history is taken to understand the symptoms, when the pain started, its intensity and which activities may have caused it.
Physical examination identifies any swelling, redness and warmth. Palpation for tenderness and range of motion testing to try and reproduce the familiar pain.
Imaging tests such as Ultrasounds and MRIs may be used to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis

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Could it be something other than bursitis?

Other conditions such as impingement, tendinopathies, and muscle tightness can present similarly to bursitis.

Impingement

This occurs when tendons or soft tissues in the joint get pinched, causing pain and limited movement, much like bursitis.

Tendinopathy:

This is inflammation or degeneration of tendons, which leads to pain, especially with movement, and can mimic bursitis symptoms.

Muscle tightness:

Tight muscles can cause discomfort around joints, leading to stiffness and pain, which can feel similar to bursitis but without the swelling of the bursa.

What are my treatment options?

As Osteopaths, we prioritise hands-on manual therapy techniques including joint articulation, stretching and soft tissue massage to reduce muscle tension and alleviate pressure on the affected joint and bursa. Postural assessments and education are a focus in order to identify and address any posture imbalances contributing to joint stress as well as offering advice on lifestyle adjustments to prevent further irritation. Osteopaths also provide tailored exercise prescriptions to strengthen muscles around the joint and enhance flexibility, reducing the chance of recurrence.

Basic advice

Don’t lay on the sore side!

Avoid aggravating movements of the joint as much as possible

Rest!

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FAQ'S

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bursas are in the body?

There are approximately 160 bursa in the human body! Our top 3 main bursae are in the hip, knee and shoulder!

Are bursas usually there?

Yes! Bursae are always present and play an important role in our joints. They help the structures in our joints move smoothly. It’s only when they become inflamed (bursitis) that we start to feel pain.

Why do we have bursas?

We have bursae to help our joints move smoothly. These fluid-filled sacs act as cushions, reducing friction between bones, muscles, and tendons during movement. This keeps everything gliding easily and prevents irritation.

Why does my hip ache when I sleep on it?

There are many possible reasons your hip aches when you lay on it, but a common cause is inflammation in one of the bursae in the hip. These fluid-filled sacs cushion the joint, and if they’re irritated or inflamed, lying on your hip puts pressure on them, making the pain worse.

Should I use a massage gun on bursitis?

It’s best not to use a massage gun directly on the sore, bony part of the joint with bursitis, as it can cause further irritation. However, you can safely use the massage gun on the surrounding muscles and soft tissue to help relieve tension and reduce discomfort.

My shoulder hurts when I lift my arm above my head

Ouch! When the bursa in your shoulder becomes inflamed, lifting your arm above your head can put extra pressure on the joint, making the pain worse. This movement irritates the already inflamed bursa and can also compress surrounding tendons, leading to more discomfort. It’s important to rest the joint and avoid activities that worsen the pain.

Shoulder pain when doing bra strap

What is the treatment for shoulder bursitis?

As Osteopaths, we use hands-on techniques such as joint movements, stretching, and soft tissue massage to ease muscle tension and take pressure off the bursa. Shoulder bursitis may be aggravated by poor posture. We look for any postural imbalances that may be contributing to the problem and provide specific exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder and improve flexibility, which helps prevent the bursitis from coming back.

Can I keep walking with trochanteric bursitis?

Yes, you can keep walking with trochanteric bursitis, but too much irritation and friction on the hip joint can make it worse. Resting the area and avoiding activities that aggravate it is the best way to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

What is elbow bursitis?

Elbow bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa located at the tip of the elbow. The bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between the skin and the bony part of the elbow. When this bursa becomes irritated, usually from repetitive motion, pressure, or injury, it can swell, cause pain, and limit movement in the elbow. It may also feel warm or appear red if the inflammation is severe.

Why do I have a big lump on my elbow?

A big lump on your elbow is likely due to elbow bursitis, which occurs when the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that normally contains only a small amount of fluid, becomes irritated. This sac acts as a cushion for the tip of your elbow. However, when it becomes inflamed, the bursa can fill with extra fluid, causing it to swell and form a noticeable lump. This can lead to pain, swelling, and sometimes redness, often triggered by repetitive movements, pressure, or injury.

The front of my knee hurts when I kneel, is it arthritis or bursitis?

If the front of your knee hurts when you kneel, it could be bursitis or arthritis, but bursitis is more likely in this case. Prepatellar bursitis, also known as “housemaid’s knee,” occurs when the bursa in front of the kneecap becomes inflamed, often due to kneeling or pressure on the knee. Arthritis, on the other hand, typically causes more widespread joint stiffness and pain, often felt during movement or after periods of inactivity. A thorough examination from an Osteopath can help determine this!

How do I prevent bursitis?

Our top tips to prevent bursitis:

Avoid repetitive movements: Limit activities that involve repetitive motions or prolonged pressure on joints, such as kneeling or leaning on your elbows.
Use proper posture: Maintain good posture to reduce stress on your joints.
Take breaks: If your job or activities involve repetitive tasks, take regular breaks to rest and stretch.
Strengthen muscles: Regular exercise to strengthen the muscles around your joints can help protect the bursae from excess stress.