Bursitis Capitola

Bursitis

Bursitis is irritation or swelling of the bursa, which is a sac filled with lubricating fluid that is located between bones, muscles, tendons, and skin to reduce rubbing, friction, and irritation. Bursitis typically occurs in adults over 40 years old based on the aging of tendons that become easily strained or torn with age. Bursitis affects the elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and Achilles tendons, and there will be a significant amount of pain in the joints where bursitis is present. While treatment of bursitis normally involves resting the affected joint and protecting it from further damage, some more severe cases may indicate other medical issues with tendons or joints. In both cases, your Harbor Health Center physician can give you a better understanding of an underlying cause and together, create a treatment plan that’s flexible and effective.

What Causes Bursitis?

In most cases, bursitis is the result of repetitive, minor impacts to a particular area, or from a sudden, more serious injury. The inflammation from traumatic injury causes irritation because of the growing size of the bursa, which no longer fits in the original position between the bone and the muscle or tendon. As a result, bursitis happens when the bone increases pressure upon the bursa. The stiffness and pain that you feel in your joints may be a direct result of an expanding fluid sack between your joints (bursa) and the irritation from inflammation. The severity of the stiffness depends on whether the fatigue comes suddenly from one forced movement or over time through short, repetitive motions.

How is Bursitis Diagnosed?

We will begin our assessment by asking some probing questions about the onset of your pain, the particular pain sensation you’re feeling, what makes it worse or better, and what in your daily schedule may be affecting it. Next, we will run some physical tests to gain a sense of your general well-being including posture, range of motion, and physical condition. Neurological tests are also an important indicator of your reflex and muscle strength, so we will test if those two factors are affected by poor nerve and joint function.

Imaging tests such as x-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds will help exclude any other causes of discomfort, and will have been done prior to assessment. In addition to images, a physician may inquire about blood tests or a fluid analysis from the inflamed bursa to pinpoint the cause of your joint inflammation and pain. However, the primary method of assessment is by observing and identifying the areas in the body that cause the most discomfort and pain. If bursitis is stopping you from living the lifestyle you want, call (831) 200-0880 for a consultation.