Near many joints of the body is located a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac. The purpose of these bursae is to reduce friction. They may be located between two bones, or soft tissues. They help to make movement smoother, whether that be the movement of a muscle or a joint where two bones meet.
When the bursae become inflamed, you experience bursitis. This can be a very painful condition. There are more than 150 bursal sacs in the body helping to facilitate smooth motion by acting as a cushion and decreasing friction. Most commonly, bursitis will affect the knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders but this condition can occur anywhere in the body that contains a bursal sac.
The causes of bursitis involve conditions that place too much pressure on the bursae, and the very friction that the bursae has the purpose of curtailing, overwhelms the bursal sac leading to bursitis. Some causes may be:
Direct trauma to the area surrounding the bursal sac
Infection
Repetitive movements causing overuse
Excessive kneeling as in the case of bursitis of the knee
Excessive leaning on the elbows
Some symptoms of bursitis will be:
● Pain in or near the joint that will increase with movement
● In more advanced cases of bursitis, pain may be felt at rest
● Swelling
● Decreased range of motion
● Erythema (reddening of skin) and warmth
● A slight fever in the case that an infection is causing bursitis
If You Are Experiencing Symptoms, Schedule an Appointment Dr. Burke Orthopedics Immediately.