Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. A bursa (the plural is bursae) is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between moving parts of the body, such as bones, muscles, joints and tendons. The most common symptom of bursitis is pain in the affected body part.
The bursae
There are approximately 160 bursae in the human body. The bursae are lined with special cells, known as synovial cells. Synovial cells produce a liquid that helps to lubricate the moving parts of the body and reduce friction.
A bursa can become inflamed through injury, over-use or, less commonly, through an infection or as a complication of certain conditions, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Where does bursitis occur?
Any bursa can be affected by bursitis, but the most common places where bursitis occurs are:
- the shoulder,
- the elbow,
- the ankle,
- the knee,
- the buttocks,
- the hip, and
- the thigh.
How common is bursitis?
It is difficult to estimate exactly how common bursitis is because the symptoms are often mild and pass without treatment.
Many people with bursitis do not seek medical help. However, research suggests that one in every 200 visits to a GP surgery is because of bursitis.
The risk of developing bursitis is higher if you regularly do an activity that involves a great deal of repetitive movement. For example, runners and joggers have an increased risk of developing bursitis in their ankles, and people who do a lot of kneeling, such as carpet fitters and gardeners, have a high risk of developing bursitis in their knee.
Outlook
The outlook for bursitis is usually good, with symptoms normally passing within two weeks. Resting the affected body part and taking the painkiller ibuprofen can help to relieve symptoms and speed up recovery time.
