Print Overview Shoulder bursae Enlarge image Close Shoulder bursae Shoulder bursae Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Shoulder bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa (shown in blue) in your shoulder. Elbow bursa Enlarge image Close Elbow bursa Elbow bursa Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Elbow bursitis is inflammation or irritation of the bursa (shown in blue) in your elbow. Hip bursae Enlarge image Close Hip bursae Hip bursae Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving parts in your body's joints. Hip bursitis is inflammation or irritation of one or more of the bursae (shown in blue) in your hip. Knee bursae Enlarge image Close Knee bursae Knee bursae Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs, shown in blue. They lessen friction between moving parts in the body's joints. Knee bursitis is swelling, also called inflammation, of one or more of the bursae in the knee. Bursitis (bur-SY-tis) is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs — called bursae (bur-SEE) — that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion. Treatment typically involves resting the affected joint and protecting it from further trauma. In most cases, bursitis pain goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment, but recurrent flare-ups of bursitis are common.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to ArthritisA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home RemediesMayo Clinic Sports MedicineShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsIf you have bursitis, the affected joint might: Feel achy or stiff Hurt more when you move it or press on it Look swollen and red When to see a doctorConsult your doctor if you have: Disabling joint pain Sudden inability to move a joint Excessive swelling, redness, bruising or a rash in the affected area Sharp or shooting pain, especially when you exercise or exert yourself A fever Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThe most common causes of bursitis are repetitive motions or positions that put pressure on the bursae around a joint. Examples include: Throwing a baseball or lifting something over your head repeatedly Leaning on your elbows for long periods Extensive kneeling for tasks such as laying carpet or scrubbing floors Other causes include injury or trauma to the affected area, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and infection. Risk factorsAnyone can develop bursitis, but certain factors can increase your risk: Age. Bursitis becomes more common with aging. Occupations or hobbies. If your work or hobby requires repetitive motion or pressure on particular bursae, your risk of developing bursitis increases. Examples include carpet laying, tile setting, gardening, painting and playing a musical instrument. Other medical conditions. Certain systemic diseases and conditions — such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes — increase your risk of developing bursitis. Being overweight can increase your risk of developing hip and knee bursitis. PreventionWhile not all types of bursitis can be prevented, you can reduce your risk and the severity of flare-ups by changing the way you do certain tasks. Examples include: Using kneeling pads. Use some type of padding to reduce the pressure on your knees if your job or hobby requires a lot of kneeling. Lifting properly. Bend your knees when you lift. Failing to do so puts extra stress on the bursae in your hips. Wheeling heavy loads. Carrying heavy loads puts stress on the bursae in your shoulders. Use a dolly or a wheeled cart instead. Taking frequent breaks. Alternate repetitive tasks with rest or other activities. Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight places more stress on your joints. Exercising. Strengthening your muscles can help protect your affected joint. Warming up and stretching before strenuous activities to protect your joints from injury. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Aug. 25, 2022 Print Show references Todd DJ. Bursitis: An overview of clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 27, 2017. Tendonitis and bursitis. American College of Rheumatology. https://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/Tendinitis_and_Bursitis/. Accessed June 27, 2017. Hip bursitis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00409. Accessed June 27, 2017. Bursitis and tendonitis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bursitis/. Accessed June 27, 2017. Bursitis. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/bursitis/. Accessed June 27, 2017. Related Elbow bursa Hip bursae Shoulder bursae Shoulder injection Show more related content Associated Procedures MRI Ultrasound X-ray Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Arthritis A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic BursitisSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20310635 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Bursitis
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry