The key difference between arthritis and bursitis is the anatomical structures that they affect. Arthritis is a chronic condition that irreparably damages bone, cartilage, and joints, whereas bursitis is a temporary condition that involves the painful swelling of bursae for a time. Pain is worst in the morning.
Both cause aching pain, tender or warmth, stiffness, swelling, and redness in the joint. However, bursitis differs from osteoarthritis in that the pain is generally more acute following repetitive movements, whereas, pain in osteoarthritis is worst following a period of inactivity.
To most people, arthritis and bursitis are indistinguishable from one another, at least, in the initial stages. Both conditions have similar symptoms which include pain in the joint areas, stiffness, swelling, and redness.
Any of the bursa in your knee can become inflamed, but knee bursitis most commonly occurs over the kneecap or on the inner side of your knee below the joint.
Because bursitis and tendonitis pain may be felt near the joints, it is sometimes mistaken for arthritis.
Symptoms of knee bursitis include tenderness and swelling in the knee. You may also feel a warm sensation to the touch. Bursitis can cause pain when you move the knee and can limit your knee's range of motion.
Is it OK to walk with knee bursitis? Walking can aggravate the symptoms of knee bursitis, so it's important to listen to your body and take it easy if you're experiencing pain. However, walking is not likely to cause further damage to the joints and may help reduce inflammation.
Knee Pain - you may experience pain and tenderness over top of the kneecap as the bursa sits over the kneecap. The pain may radiate down your leg to the midcalf. Due to the location of the bursa, pain will make kneeling difficult.
X-ray images can't positively establish the diagnosis of bursitis, but they can help to exclude other causes of your discomfort. Ultrasound or MRI might be used if your bursitis can't easily be diagnosed by a physical exam alone.
Doctors examine the affected area to look for swelling, redness, or warmth. They also feel for bumps beneath the skin, which may indicate swollen bursae. Doctors use their hands to gently move the affected part of the body to see if bursitis or tendinitis are limiting range of motion or causing pain.
If left untreated, prepatellar bursitis that involves an infection can lead to severe complications such as septic shock and death. It's essential to contact your healthcare provider immediately or go to the nearest hospital if you're experiencing symptoms of an infection.
A lime- or grapefruit-sized lump at the front of the knee may be a sign of prepatellar bursitis. Prepatellar bursitis occurs when the bursa at the front of the knee becomes inflamed and fills with excess fluid. Prepatellar bursitis is the most common form of bursitis of the knee.
With the proper treatment, knee bursitis can be healed in an average of two to eight weeks. You must practice proper stretching, strengthening, and exercise for a speedy recovery from this condition.
Pes anserine bursitis can cause pain: Inside the knee, roughly 2 inches below where the bones of the knee meet. That gets worse at night.
If you have bursitis, the affected joint might: Feel achy or stiff. Hurt more when you move it or press on it.
Avoiding repetitive motion might be one way to relieve bursitis, but that isn't practical for people whose work or preferred activity requires such motion. In addition, sometimes the condition is caused by arthritis, infection, injury or other factors you can't prevent. That's where massage comes in handy.
Avoid any activity or direct pressure that may cause pain. Apply ice or cold packs as soon as you notice pain in your muscles or near a joint. Apply ice 10 to 15 minutes at a time, as often as twice an hour, for 3 days (72 hours). You can try heat, or alternating heat and ice, after the first 72 hours.
Since prepatellar bursitis is quite superficial, topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren Gel) can be very effective, with minimal systemic side effects.
Do not massage right over the bursa. This will make it worse. However, massage can be done to other areas of the body to address imbalances: I recommend John F Barnes myofascial release. In conclusion, you should work with a physical therapist to progress these exercises slowly and correctly.
The most common causes of bursitis are injury or overuse. Infection may also cause it. Bursitis is also associated with other problems. These include arthritis, gout, tendonitis, diabetes, and thyroid disease.