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Bursitis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Bones Joints Muscles

Bursitis

Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions joints, often caused by overuse or injury.

Overview

A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and other moving parts, such as muscles, tendons, or skin. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. People get bursitis by overusing a joint. It can also be caused by an injury. It usually occurs at the knee or elbow. Kneeling or leaning your elbows on a hard surface for a long time can make bursitis start. Doing the same kinds of movements every day or putting stress on joints increases your risk.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Symptoms of bursitis include pain and swelling. Your doctor will diagnose bursitis with a physical exam and tests such as x-rays and MRIs. He or she may also take fluid from the swollen area to be sure the problem isn't an infection.

Treatment of bursitis includes rest, pain medicines, or ice. If there is no improvement, your doctor may inject a drug into the area around the swollen bursa. If the joint still does not improve after 6 to 12 months, you may need surgery to repair damage and relieve pressure on the bursa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most clinicians limit corticosteroid injections to no more than two or three within a single year in the same bursa. Repeated injections can weaken nearby tendons, degrade joint cartilage, and cause local tissue thinning or skin depigmentation.
With conservative treatment, including rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, acute bursitis often improves within two to four weeks. Chronic or recurring cases may take two to three months to fully resolve and typically require physical therapy to correct biomechanical stressors.
Septic bursitis occurs when bacteria infect the bursa and requires urgent medical attention. Signs of infection include intense redness spreading around the joint, skin that feels noticeably hot, severe tenderness even at rest, and systemic symptoms like fever, chills, or fatigue. A doctor typically aspirates fluid from the bursa to test for bacteria.
Use cushioned knee pads when gardening or scrubbing floors, avoid resting your elbows directly on hard desks or chair armrests, take hourly movement breaks during repetitive tasks, and stretch the surrounding muscle groups regularly to reduce friction over the bursa.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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