How Bursitis Leads to Joint Pain

If you have bursitis, you’re not alone. More than 8 million people in the United States suffer from the condition each year. Bursitis makes it challenging to perform even simple movements, so it’s hard for you to go about your normal activities. 

At Vulcan Pain Management in Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama, our dual-board certified pain management physician, Victor Mendoza, MD, understands the challenges of living with chronic pain. In this blog, he shares how bursitis is linked to joint pain and offers solutions to help you feel better fast.

What is bursitis?

You have a type of soft tissue in your body called bursa. They’re filled with a lubricating fluid that cushions tendons, skin, muscles, and bone as you move. When any of these more than 150 bursa are inflamed, you develop a painful condition known as bursitis.

Where does bursitis occur?

Bursitis can occur anywhere in your body, where one of your 150 bursa are located. It’s most common in your knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. 

What causes bursitis?

Bursitis typically strikes because of one of these causes:

Aging also increases your risk of developing bursitis.

How are bursitis and joint pain related?

Many people automatically think about arthritis when they have pain in their joints, but bursitis is also common in adults over 40. When you engage in activities that require you to use a joint too much, such as hiking, skiing, playing golf or tennis, gardening, throwing, digging, painting, and other repetitive movements, your tendons and joints are less capable of bearing the brunt over time and begin to break down, putting undue pressure on your bursa. In addition to joint pain, you may experience swelling, and your full range of motion may be impaired.

How is bursitis treated?

Bursitis is highly treatable. Dr. Mendoza typically recommends the most conservative strategies to treat your joint pain from bursitis. He begins your treatment with suggestions to:

Physical therapy can also help by strengthening your muscles and alleviating pressure from your joints. Depending on the severity of your bursitis and joint pain, Dr. Mendoza may prescribe medication to eradicate the inflammation and pair that with steroid injections to alleviate pain and improve your ability to move and use the joint freely. 

If your bursa are inflamed and irritated and causing pain in your joints, our team stands ready to help you feel good again. Call the office closes to you to book an appointment or use the online scheduling option.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Does Suboxone Treat an Opioid Use Disorder?

How Does Suboxone Treat an Opioid Use Disorder?

Opioids play a crucial role in managing chronic and some types of acute pain, but they’re also very addictive. Suboxone® helps break the cycle of addiction, helping women and men lead healthier lives. Here’s how it works.
 Common Myths and Facts About Fibromyalgia

Common Myths and Facts About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects millions of Americans, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. This post helps set the record straight by dispelling some of the most common fibromyalgia myths.
At-Home Care Tips to Ease Your Joint Pain

At-Home Care Tips to Ease Your Joint Pain

Joint pain is, unfortunately, widespread, and it becomes even more common as we get older. The good news: Today, there are more ways than ever to relieve joint pain, including these eight “home remedies.”
 Is Working From Home a Pain in Your Neck?

Is Working From Home a Pain in Your Neck?

Working from home offers lots of benefits, but if you’re not careful, you could wind up with unwanted neck pain. Here’s how remote working can contribute to neck symptoms — and what you can do to prevent them.