Most people recover fully from bursitis or tendinitis under the care of our orthopedic specialists. To build muscle strength and flexibility and to help prevent another injury from occurring, doctors at
Bursitis generally gets better on its own. Conservative measures, such as rest, ice and taking a pain reliever, can relieve discomfort. If conservative measures don't work, you might require: Medication.
When properly treated, bursitis doesn't result in permanent joint damage or disability. Many soft tissue conditions are caused by muscle overuse, so the first treatment may include resting the painful area or avoiding a particular activity for a while.
Bursitis is when a joint becomes painful and swollen. It can usually be treated at home and should go away in a few weeks.
Chronic bursitis can go away and come back again. Acute bursitis can become chronic if it comes back or if a hip injury occurs. Over time, the bursae may become thick, which can make swelling worse. This can lead to limited movement and weakened muscles (called atrophy) in the area.
Chronic bursitis may involve repeated attacks of pain, swelling, and tenderness. These may lead to the deterioration of muscles and a limited range of motion in the affected joint. The symptoms of bursitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed due to repetitive movements and excessive strain on the joints. Other causes include trauma in the joint due to an injury and infection.
Bursitis is treatable and reversible, unlike arthritis (which is progressive). It's possible to develop bursitis from bumping your hip into a countertop. Most of the time our body is able to deal with the trauma and eliminates the inflammation on its own.
Bursitis can subdivide into three phases: acute, chronic and recurrent.
Pain that doesn't go away
Hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis) may be a sign of a more serious issue. If you continue to have bursitis pain at the hip that has not improved despite extensive treatment, you may have a tear of a muscle located next to the bursa called the gluteus medius.
The steroid injection eases symptoms of hip bursitis, shoulder bursitis and other types of bursitis. If injections don't relieve symptoms, you may need surgery.
Bursitis is common in adults, especially after age 40. It's usually caused by repeated pressure on an area or by using a joint too much.
The prognosis of bursitis is usually very good. Sometimes adjustment of activities ultimately leads to the best outcome. Infectious bursitis can require surgical resection of the bursa and antibiotics for cure. Gouty and calcific bursitis can often recur, and if chronic, may require excision of the bursa.
Medical Imaging to Diagnose Hip Bursitis
MRI scans: An MRI can confirm or rule out other hip pain-related diagnoses by providing a detailed view of the hip's soft tissue. Images from the test can show swollen bursae or damaged tendons.
Physio is good for bursitis since a physiotherapist can help reduce pain and promote recovery of the affected bursa by using a combination of massage, dry needling, electrotherapy, acupuncture and rehab exercises.
Consult your doctor if you have: Disabling joint pain. Sudden inability to move a joint. Excessive swelling, redness, bruising or a rash in the affected area.
Activities or positions that put pressure on the hip bursa, such as lying down, sitting in one position for a long time, or walking distances can irritate the bursa and cause more pain. It is also important to learn the hip bursitis exercises to avoid making the condition worse.
Avoid repetitive stress and overuse.
Bursitis is caused by several factors. Primary among these are repetitive stress and overuse. Repetitive movements of the legs while under load, such as during cycling, can lead to bursitis.
Tendons and bursae are located near joints. Inflamed soft tissues will often be felt by patients as joint pain. This will be mistaken for arthritis. Symptoms of bursitis and tendonitis are similar.
Both arthritis and bursitis can be debilitating, causing severe pain and immobility. Arthritis is not curable, but it can be treated to manage your pain and improve your quality of life, while bursitis is treatable with surgery rarely needed.
What is the best way to treat bursitis? Usually, rest is all you'll need to treat bursitis. Avoid the activity or positions that irritated your bursa. Taking a break from activities that put pressure on that part of your body will give it time to heal and prevent further injury.
Exercise is often prescribed to improve joint pain, so walking could be a vital part of managing your bursitis symptoms.
Doctors may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce inflammation in the bursa and tendon and relieve pain. These medications are typically recommended for a few weeks while the body heals.
Foods that can trigger inflammation may make your pain worse so these are ones to avoid if you can. This includes processed foods (ready meals, sliced meat), caffeine, fizzy juice, sugars (cakes, biscuits etc.), and alcohol.