Bursitis

Bursae are small, flat, fluid-filled sacs distributed throughout the body at points where tendons, muscles, or skin slide over bone. They act as cushions, minimising friction and reducing wear at high-pressure areas. When a bursa becomes inflamed — a condition called bursitis — the sac swells, filling with excess fluid and causing pain around the joint.

**Most commonly affected sites:** shoulder, elbow, hip, buttock, knee, Achilles tendon/heel.

**Causes and risk factors:** - Repetitive motion or sustained pressure on a joint (gardening, carpentry, tennis, golf, throwing) - Prolonged kneeling, leaning on elbows, or poor posture at work - Acute injury or trauma - Advancing age — tendons become less elastic and more vulnerable after 40 - Structural joint problems (leg length discrepancy, arthritis) - Systemic conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, thyroid disorders - Infection with *Staphylococcus aureus* (septic bursitis)

**Symptoms:** - Pain that builds gradually or begins suddenly and severely (especially if calcium deposits are present) - Stiffness and aching at the affected joint - Swelling, warmth, and redness over the bursa - Pain worsens with direct pressure or movement

**Seek urgent care** if you have fever (>38.9°C/102°F), rapidly spreading redness and warmth, or systemic illness — these suggest septic bursitis, which requires antibiotics and may need surgical drainage.

Most non-infectious bursitis resolves within a few weeks with appropriate conservative management. Recurrence is common without addressing the underlying cause (e.g., repetitive activity or structural problems).