Related topics: •  Arthritis Center •  Preventing Knee Injuries

If your shoulder, hip, or elbow feels sore after a hard day of work or play, you may have bursitis. This condition occurs when the small sacs of fluid in between joints and separating skin and tendons (called bursae) become swollen and inflamed. Normally, bursae cushion joints and help them move smoothly. But if you put too much strain on a joint, those cushions can become a major nuisance.

Bursitis most commonly affects a hip, shoulder, or elbow, but it can also occur in the knee, heel, or base of the big toe. Fortunately, the pain rarely lasts more than a week or so at a time -- especially if you take care.

Any activity that puts undue strain or pressure on a joint can cause bursitis. The condition is common among athletes and weekend gym buffs. Golfers and baseball players are also prone to bursitis in the elbow or shoulder. According to the American College of Rheumatology, people who are out-of-shape or have poor posture or form are especially likely to suffer for their sport.

Bursitis is also a common complaint in the workplace, where it's often known by such descriptive names as housemaid's knee (from prolonged kneeling) or miner's elbow (from repeatedly swinging a heavy object). And it isn't limited to manual laborers: Office workers can easily develop bursitis from frequently leaning their elbows on a desk. Simply standing in one place for too long can cause bursitis in the hip.

Stressing the joints isn't the only way to develop the condition. Rarely, bursae can become swollen and inflamed because of gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or a staph infection in the joint. Even more rarely, bursitis can be a symptom of tuberculosis.

Bursitis makes a joint stiff and sore. The pain, often described as a dull ache, gets worse when the joint is used. When bursitis arises someplace other than the hip, the joint is often swollen and warm to the touch. (The bursae in the hip are buried under muscles so the swelling usually isn't noticeable.) If bursitis is caused by an infection, you may also develop a fever.

Most people can manage bursitis on their own. However, the Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doctor if the pain interferes with your life, or doesn't get better within 2 weeks. You should also see a doctor if you have shooting pain after exercise, extreme swelling, bruising, a rash, or a fever. These can be signs of more serious conditions.

There's no single test for bursitis. Your doctor will ask you detailed questions about your symptoms and your activities. He or she may take x-rays of the joint or conduct blood tests to check for other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, or more serious injuries like a fracture. Your doctor may also collect the fluid from the swollen bursa to check for signs of infections or gout.

The best thing you can do for an overworked joint is rest it. If possible, avoid doing whichever activity caused the problem, at least until the pain goes away. You can speed recovery by applying an ice pack to the sore joint for 15 to 20 minutes, two or three times a day. If you have bursitis in an elbow or knee, control the swelling by wrapping the joint in an elastic bandage. An over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen can often help ease the symptoms as well.

More serious cases may call for a doctor's care. A doctor may drain the troublesome bursa to ease swelling, and depending on the case, a corticosteroid injection often brings quick relief. Your doctor may also recommend specific exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area. According to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, surgery to remove the bursa may be necessary in severe cases.

Of course, the best way to avoid bursitis is to avoid overstressing your joints. Don't lean your elbows on hard surfaces for long periods of time, and if possible, avoid strenuous, repetitive activities. But bursitis doesn't have to put you on the sidelines. With proper warm-ups, (including stretching), good posture, and correct form, you should be able to enjoy your favorite activities and prevent future trouble.

-- Chris Woolston, MS, is a health and medical writer with a master's degree in biology. He is a contributing editor at Consumer Health Interactive, and was the staff writer at Hippocrates, a magazine for physicians. He has also covered science issues for Time Inc. Health, WebMD, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

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Last updated August 11, 2009
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