Bursa are fluid filled sacs found around many joints. They help to provide support and cushioning to prevent muscles, joints and tendons from rubbing together. They can be found on the elbows, knees, hips, buttocks and shoulders.
When there has been over-use or injury the bursa can get inflamed. There is then less room within the joint. There may be redness, swelling, pain and difficulty moving the joint or putting any pressure on it. It may be painful to lie on it.
The best way to deal with this is RICE ie rest, ice, compression and elevation. You may want to apply ice for 10-15 minutes every hour for the first 4-5 days. This will help to reduce the swelling and inflammation. Anti-inflammatories may help and if it persists a steroid injection may help. However, if there is a fever, you will need to see a GP in case the bursa has become infected.
Bursitis can also occur alongside other conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes or Gout, which would also need to be treated as well.
Bursitis may resolve within a week or two, however, if there is also tendinitis it may take longer. An Osteopath can help to diagnose the problem and try to discover why it has occurred. There may be treatment they can do to reduce restriction or change imbalances which may have caused or contributed towards the problem.Once the pain has gone it may help to do exercises to strengthen the muscles involved to speed up recovery and prevent it re-occurring.