What is Bursitis?
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. A bursa (the plural is bursae) is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between moving parts of the body, such as bones, muscles, joints and tendons. The most common symptom of bursitis is pain in the affected body part.
What causes Bursitis?
There are three main ways that bursitis can develop:
- Injury
- Infection
- When you have a pre-existing health condition that causes crystals to form inside a bursa.
How can we help?
R.I.C.E.
Rest the affected body part until symptoms improve, and avoid any activity that causes additional pain.
Ice. The use of ice packs can be effective in reducing symptoms of inflammation and pain. Wrap an ice pack (you can use a small pack of frozen vegetables) in a towel, and apply the towel to the affected area for 10 minutes twice a day.
Compression. Using an elastic bandage or dressing to compress affected joints can help to relieve pain.
Elevation. If it is physically possible to do so, elevating the affected body part above the level of your heart will stop blood gathering in the bursa, which should help to reduce inflammation.
