Bursitis – Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Doctors usually start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam when they suspect bursitis. They’ll check for pain, swelling, and tenderness around joints like your knee or hip.

They may also ask if your pain worsens with activity or pressure and whether you’ve had any recent injuries, infections, or repetitive joint use. Sometimes, extra tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other issues.

• Imaging Tests:
  • X-rays can help rule out bone problems, fractures, or arthritis.
  • Ultrasound or MRI scans might show swollen bursae or inflammation that you can’t see on the surface.
• Lab Tests:
  • Blood tests or fluid drawn from the bursa can check for infections like staph, or crystal diseases like gout or pseudogout.

If an infection causes the bursitis (septic bursitis), doctors need to spot it quickly. When overuse or injury is the culprit (aseptic bursitis), they might also check for issues like tendonitis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Ways to Manage Bursitis

Managing bursitis depends on whether it’s caused by injury, overuse, or infection.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:

Treatment Option	Purpose
Rest & Ice	Relieve pain and swelling
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, etc.)	Ease pain and inflammation
Antibiotics	Treat infection
Corticosteroid Injection	Lower inflammation quickly
Physical Therapy	Strengthen muscles and restore motion
Assistive Devices	Reduce joint stress
Surgery	Remove or drain affected bursa (rare)

Managing bursitis often starts with the basics—rest, ice packs, and pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen. These NSAIDs can help with pain and swelling. If there’s an infection, you’ll need antibiotics.

Sometimes, a doctor might recommend a corticosteroid injection to calm inflammation and pain fast. If bursitis keeps coming back, physical therapy can help you strengthen muscles and lower your risk of another flare-up.

Some individuals use a cane or other assistive device to take pressure off the joint. If nothing else works, doctors might suggest surgery, like draining fluid or a bursectomy to remove the bursa, but honestly, that’s rare.

Everyday Tips for Relief at Home

You can do a lot at home to ease bursitis symptoms. Start by resting the joint and avoiding activities that make the pain worse. Ice packs can bring down swelling—use them for 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first couple of days.

After the first couple of days, gentle heat from a warm bath or heating pad can feel soothing. Over-the-counter pain meds might also help with pain and swelling.

Sleeping with a small pillow between your knees can give extra support. If your doctor recommends it, try light stretching or range-of-motion exercises to keep your joints moving.

Getting Ready for Your Visit

Making a list before you go in can make your appointment smoother. Bring these things:

• Clear Notes on Symptoms: Jot down when your symptoms started, how they feel, and what affects them.

• Medical and Family History: Note any existing conditions, and if anyone in your family has had similar problems.

• Current Medications and Supplements: List everything you take—medicines, vitamins, and herbal stuff too.

• Questions for Your Healthcare Provider: Have a few questions ready to help steer the conversation. Maybe try these:

  • What might be causing my symptoms?
  • Are there other possible explanations?
  • What tests will I need and why?
  • Which treatment do you suggest?
  • Can I keep managing my other health issues?
  • Will I need to avoid certain activities?

Having your notes and questions ready can make the visit more helpful and get your doctor up to speed fast.

Typical Process With the Healthcare Provider

When you visit, your healthcare provider might do a physical exam. They’ll probably press around your joint to find spots that hurt or look swollen.

You can expect questions like:

• Did your pain start suddenly, or did it build up over time?
• What kind of work or activities do you usually do?
• Are there any movements that make your pain worse?
• Have you had a recent fall or injury?
• What have you tried so far to get relief, and did anything work?

Try to answer as honestly and clearly as you can. It’ll really help your provider figure out what’s going on and what to do next.