Bursitis and tendonitis are chronic conditions that can cause pain in your joints. Pain can range from a dull ache to severe, sustained discomfort. We can diagnose and treat your bursitis and tendonitis. The first step is to understand your pain and its source. Then, we can map out the best course of treatment for your condition.
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a protective sac between the bone and soft tissue such as muscles, tendons, or ligaments. The bursa prevents damaging friction between the soft tissue and the bones.
Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon, which is a string of tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendons use the power from the muscle to move the bone.
Bursitis and tendonitis tend to have two leading causes. The most common cause is repetitive stress or overuse of the joint. The second cause is an infection. Bursitis and tendonitis can also come from other chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes, psoriatic arthritis, or thyroid disorders.
Bursitis and tendonitis occur near joints, particularly those with heavy mobility loads such as shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles. The symptoms of bursitis and tendonitis are very similar.
Symptoms of bursitis and tendonitis include stiffness in the joint, limited mobility, and pain that gets worse with movement or becomes stronger at night.
Bursitis and tendonitis tend to be temporary, but they can come back. While they do not cause deformity, they can make it more challenging to perform daily activities when they return frequently.
The cause of your bursitis or tendonitis will determine the course of your treatment. Patients who overuse the joint or have injured it will be told to reduce or avoid using the joint and avoid the repetitive or stressful activity that caused the condition. We may also work with you to determine whether repositioning your posture can improve the situation.
In more extreme cases, we may recommend the daily application of ice or heat to the joint to reduce inflammation. You can use medications to reduce inflammation, and steroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain.
Sometimes, we will give those with infections antibiotics to eliminate the infection. You may also require surgery, but surgery tends to be rare for bursitis and tendonitis.
Once eliminated, the patient will need to change habits to keep the conditions from returning. This includes working out properly, using better posture, creating a more comfortable workstation, and using braces or pads to protect the area, particularly during exercise or strenuous activity.
If the conditions persist, we will recommend you see a rheumatology expert for an extended treatment plan.
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