Bursitis is a painful joint condition in which the bursa (a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the area where bone would otherwise rub on muscles, skin, or tendon) gets irritated or inflamed due to overuse of the joint or excessive pressure on it.
There are over 150 bursae in your body –most of them are likely to get irritated or inflamed, causing pain (especially during movements), swelling, and limited range of motion.
Let’s talk about the most common causes of bursitis and where you can go to receive the diagnosis and treatment of bursitis in North Dakota.
Causes of Bursitis
Damage to the bursa due to injuries or repetitive motions is the most cause of inflammation of the bursa. However, each type of bursitis may have its own cause.
Here we’ll discuss a few of the most common types of bursitis and their causes.
Prepatellar Bursitis
This is the bursitis of the knee which results in knee pain and swelling. Knee bursitis commonly occurs due to:
- Repetitive bending of the knees
- Sports-related activities
- Staying on the knees for a long period of time
- Bleeding in the knee bursae
- Infection of the bursae
Trochanteric Bursitis
Trochanteric bursitis is the bursitis of the hip, causing bouts of pain and inflammation in your hips. Hip bursitis can result from:
- An injury to the hips
- Laying on the hips for an extended period
- Improper posture
Olecranon Bursitis
Olecranon bursitis is the bursitis of the elbow that happens when you repeatedly rest your elbow on a hard surface or experience a hard blow to your elbow.
Infection or gout (a condition in which uric acid crystals build up in the body) can also cause bursitis.
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
This is the inflammation or irritation of the heel bursae. The heel bursae can get inflamed or irritated due to jumping, running, or other such repetitive activities that strain the heel bursae.
Failure to properly warm up before doing strenuous activity and wearing shoes that are too tight at the back of the heel can also cause heel bursitis or worsen existing bursitis.
Septic Bursitis
Septic or infectious bursae are bursae that get inflamed due to an infection. Any of your bursae can be infected with bacteria.
Usually, septic bursitis happens when bacteria enter the bursa through a wound present in the surrounding skin. Skin infections, such as cellulitis and blood or joint injection, can cause the introduction of bacteria in your bursae, leading to septic bursitis.
Bursitis Diagnosis and Treatment in North Dakota
If you think you have bursitis and seek a lasting solution, visit us here at The Bone & Joint Center. Our healthcare team consists of board-certified orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants, and physical therapists, who will work with you to address your orthopedic condition, including bursitis.
To set up an appointment with one of our doctors or know more about bursitis and its treatments, call us today at (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650 or use our convenient online request form.
