The Cause of Bursitis

The cause of bursitis is when the bursa, a fluid-fill sac that works as a cushion around joints to reduce friction, becomes inflamed or injured. Common areas for bursitis to develop are the elbows, hips, knees, ankles and shoulders. However, several causes can lead to this condition.

Causes
Bursitis happens when the small, fluid-filled packets located near the joint are aggravated or injured due to excessive or repetitive use of the same joint, prolonged stress or pressure on the joint area, sitting for extended periods or a puncture of the bursa, which causes the area to become infected.

Bursitis can affect the following individuals in particular:

• Those who play sports like golf, tennis or bowling. The repetitive motions of the shoulder and knee joints can lead to bursitis.
• Runners, bicyclists, snowboarders and snow skiers who utilize the knee joint repeatedly, which can inflame that area.
• Gardeners, floor installers or carpet and tile installers because they are often bending and kneeling.
• Office workers or other employees who sit for long periods of time or regularly rest their elbows on a surface.
• Ballet dancers, who use the repetitive motion of balancing on their toes, which exerts pressure on the ankle and toe joints.

Symptoms
Bursitis symptoms include stiffness, swelling, discoloration of the area and soreness of the joint, along with sharp pain when pressure is placed on the joint or the joint is moved.

Treatment
Monitor the area, and be aware of excessive redness or swelling, bruising or rash in the joint area. Consult your doctor if the joint cannot be moved without incurring severe pain or if the pain has lasted longer than two weeks.

Simply giving the inflammation time to subside is a common treatment. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce discomfort. Also consider the activities that led to the bursitis, and think of ways to adjust your lifestyle and your workspace to prevent it in the future.

Bursitis affects all ages, but it occurs more often during middle age. Those with diabetes, osteoarthritis, gout, thyroid conditions and rheumatoid arthritis may have a greater chance of developing bursitis.