Bursitis

What is bursitis?

Your joints have small sacs filled with fluid called bursa. These sacs work like cushions to protect your joints when you move. Sometimes these sacs can become sore and swollen. When this happens, it's called bursitis.

Think of bursa like tiny water balloons that sit between your bones and muscles. When they get inflamed, they hurt and make your joint feel stiff.

What does bursitis feel like?

If you have bursitis, your joint might:

• Feel achy and sore - usually a dull pain that won't go away
• Feel tender when you touch it
• Feel warmer than the skin around it
• Look swollen or puffy
• Hurt more when you move it or put pressure on it
• Look red (though this can be harder to see on darker skin)

Bursitis can happen in any joint, but it's most common in your shoulders, hips, elbows, or knees.

How can you help yourself feel better?

The good news is that bursitis often gets better on its own within a few weeks. Here's what you can do at home:

Rest your joint - Try not to move it too much and avoid activities that put pressure on it. This gives your joint time to heal.

Use ice - Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a tea towel. Hold it gently on the sore area for about 10 minutes. Do this every few hours during the day.

Take painkillers - Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help ease the pain. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

Support your joint while sleeping - Put extra cushions around the sore joint to protect it while you sleep.

When to speak to your GP

You should speak to your GP if:

• Your symptoms haven't improved after 1 to 2 weeks of treating yourself
• Your symptoms are getting worse
• You have a high temperature or feel hot, cold, or shivery
• You cannot move the affected joint at all
• You have very severe, sharp, or shooting pains in the joint

These could be signs that you need medical treatment.

What might your GP do?

Your GP will examine your joint to check what's causing your pain. They might:

• Take a small sample of fluid from your joint using a needle - this helps them check for infection or other conditions like gout
• Arrange blood tests or scans
• Give you antibiotics if there's an infection
• Offer a steroid injection to reduce swelling
• Refer you for physiotherapy

In rare cases where bursitis is severe or keeps coming back, you might need a small operation.

How to prevent bursitis coming back

To help stop bursitis happening again:

• Keep a healthy weight - extra weight puts more pressure on your joints
• Clean any cuts on your joints to prevent infection
• Warm up properly before exercise or sports
• Use padding when putting pressure on joints (like knee pads when kneeling)
• Take regular breaks from activities that put pressure on joints
• Try not to knock or bang your joints

Remember, if you're worried about joint pain that won't go away, speak to your GP for advice.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.