Bursitis

Bursitis occurs when your bursae - the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints - become inflamed. It is a painful condition and commonly affects the joints in your elbow, shoulder, knee, and hip. 

Overuse or too much pressure on the joint can irritate and inflame the bursa. This can cause pain and affect your overall range of motion. At Kimball Health Services, our orthopedic expert, Dr. MacMillan, provides both surgical as well as non-surgical treatment for bursitis. 

There are over 150 bursae in your body, and bursitis can happen in any of them. However, certain joints are more susceptible to this condition than others. 

Usually, the condition arises in the joints that are subjected to repetitive movements or areas under significant pressure. Common types of bursitis include:

• Shoulder bursitis affects the subacromial bursa in the shoulder 
• Elbow bursitis affects the bursa located between the skin and bones of the elbow
• Kneecap bursitis affects the bursa in front of your kneecap (patella) 
• Hip bursitis affects the bursa near your hip joint 
• Feet bursitis affects various parts of the foot, including the heel, big toe, and ball of the feet

Common causes of bursitis include:

• Sudden injury
• Repetitive motion
• Certain health conditions
• Poor posture
• Infection in the bursae

Bursitis primarily leads to pain in the affected area. The symptoms may vary depending on the type and severity of your condition. Common symptoms of bursitis include:

• Pain in the affected joint
• Swelling in the affected joint
• Limited movement in the affected joint
• Tenderness

The diagnosis process of bursitis includes a combination of tests to confirm the diagnosis and find the extent of the damage. 

• Physical examination of the affected joint
• Imaging tests, such as X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound, to take images of the internal tissues, affected bones, and organs
• Blood tests to detect infection and to confirm or rule out other conditions

In case infection is suspected, Aspiration is conducted. This procedure involves using a thin needle to remove fluid from the swollen bursa to check for infection as the cause of bursitis.

Usually, bursitis can be treated with appropriate rest and proper care at home. You can manage this condition by using hot-ice therapy and pain relievers at home. 

However, in certain cases, when the injury is serious, additional treatment options are used. 

• Medications such as antibiotics can provide relief if the bursal inflammation is caused due to infection.
• Physical therapy or targeted exercises can enhance muscle strength, reduce pain, help in healing, and minimize the risk of recurrence of bursitis.
• Corticosteroid injections into the affected bursa can help alleviate pain and inflammation. 
• In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to either drain the inflamed bursa or completely remove the affected bursa. 

Bursitis can cause significant pain affecting, your range of motion and interfering with daily activities. To address bursitis, you can contact Kimball Health Services for a comprehensive consultation and treatment plan. 

As one of the top critical access hospitals in the nation, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. 

In case of an emergency, call 911 or walk into our emergency department anytime. For appointments, call us at 308-235-1966 or fill out our online form. We're here for you whenever you need us.