Bursitis

Diagnosis

Healthcare professionals often can diagnose bursitis based on a medical history and physical exam. Testing, if needed, might include:

• Imaging tests. X-ray images can help to rule out other causes of pain. A healthcare professional might use an ultrasound or MRI to help make the diagnosis of bursitis.
• Lab tests. These might include blood tests or a study of fluid from the inflamed bursa. These tests can help show the cause of the symptoms.

Treatment

Shoulder injection Enlarge image

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Shoulder injection

Shoulder injection

A steroid medicine given as a shot into the bursa can ease the symptoms of bursitis. A healthcare professional may use ultrasound to guide the syringe into the affected bursa. A hand-held electronic device called a transducer shows the affected area on a screen during the procedure.

Bursitis most often gets better on its own. Measures such as rest, ice and taking a pain reliever can ease pain. If these measures don't work, a healthcare professional may suggest:

• Medicine. If an infection causes the swelling and irritation in the bursa, a healthcare professional might prescribe an antibiotic.
• Therapy. Physical therapy or exercises can strengthen the muscles in the affected area to ease pain and keep bursitis from coming back.
• Steroid shots. A corticosteroid medicine put into the bursa can relieve pain and swelling and irritation in the shoulder or hip. This treatment most often works quickly. It can ease pain and help make physical therapy easier to do.
• Assistive device. Short-term use of a walking cane or other device may help ease pressure on the affected area. Use of devices such as cushions, pads and braces also can help protect the joint.
• Surgery. Sometimes a surgeon drains an inflamed bursa. But surgical removal of the affected bursa is rare.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Try the following to relieve the pain of bursitis:

• Rest the affected area.
• Use ice to lessen swelling for the first 48 hours after symptoms start.
• Take a pain reliever you can get without a prescription. They include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Some pain relievers come in a form you put on the skin, such as creams and gels.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by seeing your main healthcare professional, who might send you to a specialist in joint conditions, such as a rheumatologist or orthopedist.

What you can do

Make a list that includes:

• Detailed descriptions of your symptoms and when they began.
• Information about your medical history and your family's.
• All medicines, vitamins and dietary supplements you take, including dosages.
• Questions to ask the healthcare professional.

For bursitis, questions to ask your healthcare professional may include:

• What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• What are other possible causes?
• What tests will I need?
• What treatment do you suggest?
• I have other medical conditions. How best can I manage them together?
• Will I need to limit my activities?
• Do you have brochures or other printed material I can take? What websites do you suggest?

What to expect from your doctor

During the physical exam, your healthcare professional may press on spots around your affected joint to try to find whether a certain bursa is causing your pain.

Your healthcare professional also may ask you questions, such as:

• Did your pain come on suddenly or little by little?
• What kind of work do you do?
• What hobbies or activities do you do?
• Do certain activities, such as kneeling or climbing stairs, cause your pain or make it worse?
• Have you recently fallen or had another injury?
• What treatments have you tried?
• Does anything make your symptoms better or worse?