Bursitis

Bursitis Treatment Overview  

Bursitis is a painful condition that can occur in the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow or heel. It develops when the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae, located behind different joints, become inflamed. The bursae are positioned between the bones and the soft tissues, acting as cushions that help reduce friction that leads to inflammation. When these sacs are irritated, you may experience sharp and intense pain.  

Bursitis is a common condition, with around 200,000 people in the U.S. diagnosed each year. If you or a loved one is suffering from inflammation and pain caused by bursitis, you can rely on our specialists at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Orthopedic Surgery to provide diagnosis and care.  

What are the symptoms of bursitis? 

Bursitis symptoms can vary depending on where the inflamed bursae are located in your body. Typically, the symptomatic pain from bursitis will be felt in the area affected by the inflamed bursa. Some common symptoms of bursitis may include: 

  • Pain, often confined to specific areas 
  • Decreased range of motion 
  • Swelling or redness 
  • Stiff or weak limbs 

What causes bursitis? 

For many people bursitis is the result of working conditions that require strenuous repetitive movements such as lifting. Putting pressure on parts of the body for extended periods of time can also cause bursitis to occur. While these are typically the cause for bursitis, there are a variety of things that can cause inflammation to the bursae. Some other common causes of bursitis include: 

  • Poor posture 
  • Playing sports or running 
  • Traumatic injuries  
  • Certain bacterial infections 
  • Arthritis  
  • Sitting for long periods 
  • Gout 

Who’s at risk for bursitis? 

While anyone can suffer from bursitis, some people are at a higher risk for its development than others. Some common factors that can increase your risk for bursitis include: 

  • Aging  
  • Being an athlete 
  • Having a physically demanding occupation 
  • Being overweight 
  • Having hobbies that involve repetitive movements 
  • Having preexistent medical conditions like arthritis or diabetes 

How is bursitis diagnosed? 

To diagnose your case of bursitis, your healthcare provider will likely do a physical exam along with other testing. Some testing, such as blood and fluid analysis may be recommended if your provider suspects your bursa may be infected. Some other common testing to diagnose bursitis may include: 

  • Ultrasound: Imaging with an ultrasound can detect swollen bursae in the body. 
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This type of imaging test can locate inflamed bursae and determine if it has caused other damage to surrounding tissues. 
  • X-rays: This imaging can ensure your symptoms are not being caused by a broken bone or other abnormalities. 

In most cases providers use imaging tests as confirmation for bursitis diagnosis, but they may not always be necessary.  

How is bursitis treated? 

Bursitis is a condition that can vary in location, severity and treatment options. With less severe and infrequent bursitis, at-home remedies such as applying ice packs or taking over-the-counter pain medication will resolve your symptoms. For more severe cases of bursitis, your provider may suggest more significant treatments. Some common types of treatment for bursitis may include: 

Medications 
Over-the-counter pain medication is frequently suggested for those suffering from a less severe case of bursitis. If these medications don’t help you find relief, your doctor may prescribe a stronger anti-inflammatory medication to help with swelling and pain. If your bursitis is determined to be caused by an infection, your provider will likely prescribe you and antibiotic to treat the underlying cause.  

Corticosteroid Injections 
Corticosteroid injections, also called cortisone injections, involve the injection of a steroid medication and anesthetic to reduce inflammation caused by bursitis. In most cases, you will find relief shortly after receiving a cortisone injection, with effects lasting a month or longer. Injections are typically recommended for people suffering from bursitis that can’t find relief from traditional treatment with medications.  

Surgery 
For severe cases of bursitis that are unresponsive to treatment, your healthcare provider may suggest surgical intervention. Depending on the location of the affected bursae, surgical options may vary. Bursitis can often go hand-in-hand with other issues that affect the joints, and your provider will determine if surgical treatment is necessary for your case. At NGPG Orthopedic Surgery, we offer several surgical options to treat different cases of bursitis based on location and damage. Some surgical options that NGPG offers for severe cases of bursitis are: 

Choose NGPG Orthopedic Surgery for Bursitis Treatment 

At NGPG we understand how pain and inflammation caused by bursitis can be disruptive to your daily activities. If you are dealing with pain and swelling, there is no need to suffer through your symptoms. Our skilled team of orthopedic providers across North Georgia offer both experience and new technologies to help you find the relief you need to get back to your routine pain-free. 

At NGPG Orthopedic Surgery we provide our patients with both expert care and access to the latest advancements in orthopedic practices. Our practices use the most advanced technology to diagnose and treat your symptoms in the least invasive and most effective way.