Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Bursitis

6-minute read

Key facts

  • Bursitis is a condition caused by the inflammation of the bursae.
  • Common causes are joint injury and overuse
  • Symptoms of bursitis include pain, swelling, tenderness and limited joint movement.
  • Bursitis can affect various joints like the shoulder, hip, knee and elbow.
  • Treatment includes rest, ice, medicines and gentle physical therapy.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammation or irritation of the small, fluid filled ‘cushions’ that protect a tendon where it touches a bone. These cushions are called bursae (or bursa if there’s just one).

When you move your joints, the tendons (which link muscles to bones) slide over the bones. The bursae minimise any friction (rubbing together).

Muscles are connected to bones via strong white fibrous cords called tendons. Wherever these tendons cross bones and joints, you have a small cushion filled with fluid, which is known as a bursa.

When a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it swells with fluid and the swelling can be painful and restrict movement.

Bursitis is a common cause of joint pain and swelling. It is most common in the knee and shoulder, but also happens in the hip, elbow, wrist, ankle and heel.

What are the types of bursitis?

Types of bursitis which commonly affect different areas of the body include:

  • trochanteric bursitis — hip
  • olecranon bursitis — elbow
  • pre-patellar bursitis — knee
  • retrocalcaneal bursitis — heel
  • subacromial bursitis — shoulder
  • ischial bursitis — bottom or buttock

What are the symptoms of bursitis?

Feeling joint pain when you move is often the first symptom of bursitis. The area may also be swollen, feel warm or look red. As it gets worse, you might even feel pain when you don’t move the joint.

The swollen bursa can make the joint stiff and its movement might be restricted.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes bursitis?

Bursitis is commonly caused by overuse of a joint, especially by doing the same movements many times. The movements might be through work, such as sitting for long periods of time at work, because of your hobbies, such as gardening, or through sport, such as playing tennis.

Bursitis can also be caused by an injury to the joint, and by conditions that cause swelling such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Diabetes can also be a cause.

How is bursitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical examination and ask about your medical history. They might also recommend tests, including:

  • an x-ray to look for other possible causes
  • an ultrasound
  • taking a sample of the fluid to determine if infection is present

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is bursitis treated?

Bursitis can often be treated at home, especially if you can avoid the activity that might have triggered it.

It usually improves with ‘RICE’:

  • Rest
  • Ice packs
  • Compression
  • Elevation

Over-the-counter pain relief medicines can help manage the pain. Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines will also reduce swelling.

If that doesn’t help, a doctor or physiotherapist may recommend gentle exercises and stretches, or a brace. You might need antibiotics if the bursa is infected.

For severe pain, your doctor might refer you to a specialist radiologist for an injection of corticosteroid medicine into or around the bursa.

In some cases, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove or drain the bursa.

To search medicines by active ingredient or brand name, use the healthdirect Medicines search feature.

Can bursitis be prevented?

While you might not be able to prevent bursitis, you can prevent flare-ups by making changes to how you normally move. Depending on which joint is affected, you could prevent recurrence of bursitis by:

  • avoiding or changing how you carry out the repeated activity
  • taking breaks and doing stretches during the day
  • maintaining good posture
  • wearing the right footwear

Your doctor, physiotherapist or occupational therapist can give you specific advice, including how to:

  • ensure your work environment is ergonomically suitable
  • warm up and cool down with stretches before sport
  • exercise to strengthen muscles around the joint

When should I see my doctor?

In many cases, you can manage bursitis yourself. However, you should see your doctor, occupational therapist or physiotherapist if you have painful, stiff and swollen joints and a fever, or if your symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.

Resources and support

Find further information on bursitis from Musculoskeletal Australia or call 1800 263 265 (Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00).

Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: August 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Bursitis - myDr.com.au

Bursitis inflammation causes pains such as "tennis elbow". It's caused by repeated movement of certain joints and can be treated at home.

Read more on MyDoctor website

Bursitis - Better Health Channel

Bursitis is often caused by overuse and the inflammation will continue unless the particular activity or movement is stopped.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Bursitis - Diagnosis, Symptoms, & Treatment | MSK Australia

Do you have bursitis? Find out about the causes, how you can manage your musculoskeletal condition, where to find support & how MSK can help you.

Read more on Musculoskeletal Health Australia website

Bursal Injection - InsideRadiology

A bursa is a soft tissue space between two structures, such as bone, muscle, tendon and skin, which allows the structures to slide over one another.

Read more on InsideRadiology website

Frozen shoulder - Choosing wisely

 

Read more on Choosing Wisely Australia website

Frozen shoulder - Choose physio | Australian Physiotherapy Association

Read more on Australian Physiotherapy Association website

Elbow pain - Better Health Channel

Elbow pain and can result from overuse in a range of sports or occupations.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Tendinopathy (Tendonitis) - Better Health Channel

Most cases of tendonitis recover completely, but severe untreated tendonitis can lead to rupture of the tendon.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Hip disorders - Better Health Channel

The hip joint is complicated to allow a wide range of motion while still supporting the weight of the body.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Corticosteroid injections - myDr.com.au

Corticosteroids are medicines used to treat inflammation. Depending on the condition, steroid injections can relieve pain for several weeks to months.

Read more on MyDoctor website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.