Bursitis is caused by inflammation of the bursa, which are fluid-filled sacs around your joints.

Treatment focuses on symptom management, and most cases resolve within a few weeks.

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help manage bursitis symptoms at home.

Bursitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs located between bones and nearby soft tissue, bones, tendons, and muscles. Bursae can be found all over your body. Bursitis can occur in any bursa, but is most common in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees. They are intended to reduce tension and friction in these areas, keeping them protected from wear and tear.

Bursitis can be caused by a variety of injuries and medical conditions. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine the underlying cause of your bursitis, treat it if possible, and provide options to help manage your symptoms. A majority of bursitis cases clear up within a few weeks.

Bursitis can be broken down into two types based on duration: acute (which means it lasts for a short period and then resolves) and chronic (meaning it is an ongoing problem for multiple months or more). It can also be broken down by areas affected, such as the knees or hips.

Acute bursitis is often caused by infection, physical trauma, or crystalline joint diseases like gout. With this form of bursitis, the affected bursa is typically painful to the touch, and the pain is aggravated by movement. However, it is important to be evaluated by your healthcare provider because there are exceptions. For example, if the affected bursa is deep below the skin, it may not be painful to the touch and still be acute bursitis.

Chronic bursitis is frequently caused by repetitive pressure or overuse that leads to injury and inflammation over time. Inflammatory arthritis—which is a type of joint inflammation caused by either an infection or an autoimmune response, causing your body to attack itself—can also lead to chronic bursitis.

Unlike acute bursitis, this type may not be painful to the touch. It can be recognized by significant swelling as the bursa expands to accommodate the extra fluid build-up. The skin over the affected bursa may also feel warmer to the touch than the surrounding area.

In addition to duration, the types of bursitis can be broken down by the areas of the body it is affecting. It can occur in more than one area at a time. These types include:

Subacromial: This is the area between the humerus (a bone in the upper arm) and the coracoacromial arch above. Together, these make up a portion of your shoulder.

Olecranon: This is the bony area of the elbow above the ulna (a bone in the forearm).

Trochanteric: This is in the hip joints.

Prepatellar: This is in the area at the front of the knee called the patella.

Infrapatellar: This is the area directly below the kneecap, just below the patella.

Your symptoms may vary depending on which type of bursitis you have. However, many people with bursitis will experience the following symptoms:

Pain in the area of the affected bursa. Often this pain is described as "dull" or "aching."

The area is tender when touched

The skin over the affected area is warmer than the surrounding area

The area is swollen or puffy

Pain will increase with movement. Depending on where the bursitis is, some types of movements may aggravate the pain more than others

Bursitis occurs when a trigger irritates a bursa and causes it to become filled with a type of bodily fluid called synovial fluid. When the bursa becomes overly full, it begins pressing on the bones and other body parts around it. This pressure results in much of the pain associated with the condition.

Bursitis has many triggering causes and events, including:

Traumatic injury (caused by a more sudden physical trauma)

Repetitive or overuse injury (caused by repetitive motions over time)

Infection

Crystalline joint diseases like gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD)

Inflammatory arthritis

Autoimmune disorders

Anyone is capable of developing bursitis, but certain factors put you at an increased risk. For example, older individuals are at increased risk for bursitis, as well as individuals with certain chronic diseases like diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), some rheumatologic disorders, and long-term overconsumption of alcohol. Some people have natural body variations, such as having legs of different lengths, that increase their risk of some types of bursitis.

Bursitis occurs roughly equally among men and women, but women appear to be at increased risk for certain types of bursitis. Some forms of bursitis are more commonly found in people with obesity. Certain occupations—particularly jobs that require manual labor—cause workers to have an increased risk of bursitis.

To diagnose bursitis, your healthcare provider will begin by examining the affected area and asking you questions about your health history and any recent injuries.

Symptoms of bursitis can be similar to other conditions, such as stress fractures or ligament tears, depending on where you are experiencing them. Therefore, your provider may order imaging such as an X-ray to rule out other potential conditions or determine if an injury may be causing your bursitis.

Some types of imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound, may be used to look at the bursa itself and help distinguish the triggering mechanism for the bursitis, such as infection.

The majority of bursitis cases will eventually go away on their own. Your healthcare provider may recommend doing some of the following at home to help manage your symptoms:

In addition to at-home treatment and management, your healthcare provider may also recommend some of the following:

Some research has also shown that kinesio taping may be effective at reducing pain for certain types of injuries and rheumatoid conditions. Kinesio tape—also called k-tape or KT—is made of an elastic cotton strip with an adhesive that is attached to your skin to help provide support and improved range of motion. However, more research is needed to analyze the effect of kinesio tape on people with bursitis, specifically.

Not every case of bursitis can be avoided. However, there are some ways you can reduce your chances of developing bursitis.

It is important to ensure you are using proper technique and good body mechanics during manual labor and sports to reduce your chance of an overuse injury. Make sure you warm up properly before physical activity, utilize padding if you know you are going to be putting pressure on your joints for an extended period (such as knee pads if you will be kneeling), and take frequent breaks from strenuous activity.

Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can reduce your chances of developing conditions like diabetes, which can cause and worsen bursitis. If you are concerned that you may be developing bursitis, seek medical care as soon as you are able.

Bursitis may resolve on its own, but in some cases, you may be at risk for complications if you don't receive medical intervention. Some potential complications of bursitis include:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does walking help bursitis?

Therapies for bursitis will vary depending on where in the body your pain is. In some cases, certain movements will irritate your bursitis and your healthcare provider may recommend rest. Talk with your provider and physical therapist about what movement may be best to help your bursitis.

Can bursitis be seen on an X-ray?

Inflammation is not generally visible on X-ray. However, an X-ray may be able to help with a diagnosis by ruling out other causes of pain such as fractures, bone spurs, or foreign objects.

How long can bursitis last?

Bursitis typically goes away within a few weeks. Some people develop chronic bursitis, which may last months. If you do not avoid your triggers, you may experience recurrences.

Edited by

Dana Ingemann

Dana Ingemann

Dana is an Associate Editorial Director at Health, leading the development and strategy of new evergreen content. Dana holds a Master's in Public Health and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

learn more

Read more:

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

13 Sources

Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus. Bursitis.

Mercadante JR, Marappa-Ganeshan R. . In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

Williams CH, Jamal Z, Sternard BT. Bursitis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

Poudel P, Goyal A, Lappin SL. Inflammatory Arthritis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

Medscape. .

Aaron DL, Patel A, Kayiaros S, Calfee R. Four common types of bursitis: diagnosis and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011;19(6):359-367. doi:10.5435/00124635-201106000-00006

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Hip Bursitis.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Bursitis and Tendinitis.

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Pes Anserine (Knee Tendon) Bursitis.

Homayouni K, Foruzi S, Kalhori F. Effects of kinesiotaping versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy for treatment of pes anserinus tendino-bursitis: A randomized comparative clinical trial. Phys Sportsmed. 2016;44(3):252-256. doi:10.1080/00913847.2016.1199251

Lu Z, Li X, Chen R, Guo C. Kinesio taping improves pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Surg. 2018;59:27-35. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.09.015

Bicici S, Karatas N, Baltaci G. Effect of athletic taping and kinesiotaping® on measurements of functional performance in basketball players with chronic inversion ankle sprains. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2012;7(2):154-166.

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Frozen Shoulder.