Bursitis
Know what is Bursitis from Bhopal's best orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kewal Gangarade.
Bursitis happens when the bursa, those tiny fluid-filled sacs in your joints, get inflamed. These little cushions are there to reduce friction between your bones and soft tissues, and you’ll find them in places like your hips, shoulders, knees, palms, and elbows. But when they get swollen or irritated, you’re left dealing with pain and tenderness that can really slow you down.
If the swelling doesn’t go away or the pain starts getting worse, it’s time to take it seriously. That’s when you should reach out to Dr. Kewal Gangrade at Bansal Hospital in Bhopal. He’s an expert in treating these kinds of issues and will make sure you get the care you need. With the right treatment, you’ll be back to moving comfortably and living pain-free in no time.
What Are the Different Types of Bursitis?
Bursitis can show up in different parts of the body, and each spot usually gets its own name. Let me walk you through the most common areas where this happens:
Shoulder: Subacromial bursitis is what they call it when the bursa between your rotator cuff tendons and the acromion (a bone in your shoulder blade) gets inflamed. This can make your shoulder feel stiff and sore, especially when you try to move it.
Elbow: Ever heard of “funny bone bursitis”? That’s the nickname for olecranon bursitis, which happens when the bursa at the tip of your elbow swells up. It can make the area tender and a bit puffy over time.
Hip: Trochanteric bursitis shows up when the bursa near your hip gets irritated. This bursa is supposed to cushion the greater trochanter (a part of your thigh bone) from the surrounding tissues, but when it’s inflamed, walking or moving your hip can feel like a real challenge.
Knee: Prepatellar bursitis, or “housemaid’s knee,” happens when the bursa right in front of your kneecap gets swollen. If kneeling or bending your knee hurts, this could be why.
When bursitis flares up, it’s not just annoying—it can make even simple movements feel like a chore. If the pain or swelling sticks around, it’s a good idea to get it checked out. Luckily, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Dr. Kewal Gangrade in Bhopal is here to help. With his expertise, you’ll get the right treatment and be back to moving comfortably in no time.

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Sign and Symptoms
The main sign of bursitis is pain in a specific spot, and it usually gets worse if you move or put pressure on it. You might also notice some swelling, redness, and even warmth around the joint—it’s your body’s way of letting you know something’s not right. On top of that, stiffness can creep in, making it harder to move the joint the way you normally would.If bursitis sticks around for a while or becomes more severe, the skin over the area might start to thicken. Sometimes, you could even see corns or calluses forming, which only adds to the discomfort.

Bursitis can manifest in various ways, including:
When bursitis flares up, it can show itself in a few frustrating ways. You might feel anything from a dull ache to a burning pain that makes even small movements uncomfortable. Swelling and redness around the area are common, and bruising or even a rash might pop up too.For some, the pain feels like a sharp jab, especially during activity. And unfortunately, it’s not always something you can sleep off. If you accidentally roll onto the inflamed area during the night, it can wake you up with a jolt.If any of this sounds like what you’re going through, it’s a good idea to listen to your body. Getting it looked at now means you’ll be on the path to relief sooner rather than later. Don’t wait—your comfort is worth it!
What can lead to bursitis?
When dealing with bursitis, physiotherapy can be incredibly helpful. It’s a non-invasive treatment that has shown great results in reducing pain and improving mobility. Here’s what you can expect from physiotherapy for bursitis:
1.Pain Relief: Heat therapy, ultrasound, and TENS (a type of electrical therapy) are often used to reduce pain. Physiotherapists may also apply hands-on techniques like soft tissue mobilization to relieve tension.
2.Movement Improvement: Through specific range-of-motion exercises, you’ll stretch and strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, which helps improve its movement.
3.Manual Therapy: This might include techniques like joint manipulation to reduce pain and increase mobility in the joint.
4.Self-Help Tips: Physiotherapists often guide you on exercises to do at home and lifestyle changes to help manage your condition better.
Various Bursa Locations
Bursitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the bursa, small fluid-filled sacs found throughout the body that cushion the joints. While it can affect any joint, it is most commonly seen in areas that experience a lot of repetitive motion or pressure. If you’ve been experiencing pain, swelling, and limited mobility in a specific joint, you might have one of these types of bursitis.
Elbow (Olecranon Bursitis): If you’ve ever spent hours resting your elbow on a hard surface, you may have noticed swelling in the elbow. This happens because the bursa around the elbow becomes inflamed. It’s often caused by repetitive pressure or even injury. You may feel pain when touching the area or when moving your elbow, which can really make tasks like typing or writing difficult.
Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis): If you’ve been lifting or reaching overhead frequently, you may be at risk of developing bursitis in the shoulder. This happens when the bursa between your shoulder blade and upper arm bone gets inflamed. The pain can be sharp and limits your range of motion, making even simple tasks, like reaching for something on a high shelf, uncomfortable.
Knee (Pes Anserine Bursitis): Swelling in the inner part of the knee can happen due to pressure, excess weight, or joint issues. The pain and discomfort may make it harder to move the knee freely or cause sharp pain when you bend it. If you’re having trouble walking or climbing stairs, pes anserine bursitis might be the cause.
Ankle (Retrocalcaneal Bursitis): If you’re active in sports, especially running or jumping, bursitis can develop in the ankle. The retrocalcaneal bursa (located between the heel bone and Achilles tendon) becomes irritated and swollen, causing pain, especially when walking or running. This type of bursitis can really make it hard to stay active.
Knee (Prepatellar Bursitis): Repeated kneeling or a fall on the knee can lead to prepatellar bursitis, commonly known as housemaid’s knee. The bursa between the skin and kneecap becomes inflamed, leading to swelling and pain. This can be especially painful when bending the knee or putting pressure on it, like when kneeling or sitting for long periods.
Hip (Trochanteric and Ischial Bursitis): Hip bursitis can be caused by repetitive pressure or strain on the hip joint. If the trochanteric bursa becomes inflamed, it leads to trochanteric bursitis. If the bursa in your buttock area (ischial bursa) gets irritated, you may develop ischial bursitis. Both types can cause pain in your hip and buttock, making sitting or walking uncomfortable.
Treatment of Bursitis
To properly diagnose bursitis, Dr. Kewal Gangrade, the Best Orthopedic Surgeon in Bhopal, will perform a thorough evaluation, which will include a detailed medical history, a comprehensive physical examination, and possible imaging tests. They will carefully evaluate your symptoms, such as when they started, where they are located, and what makes them worse. By feeling the affected area, they can detect any tenderness or swelling. Sometimes, they may recommend an ultrasound, MRI, or X-ray to rule out other possible causes of your pain and confirm whether bursitis is present. For effective Bursitis Treatment in Bhopal, consult Top Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Kewal Gangrade at Bansal Hospital in Bhopal.
FAQs
Bursitis is a condition where the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs located between bones, tendons, muscles, and skin, become inflamed. These sacs act as cushions to reduce friction during movement.
Bursitis can be caused by recurrent stress on the bursa, acute trauma, bacterial infection, or underlying diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. These causes produce inflammation in the bursa, resulting in discomfort, edema, and reduced movement. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required to control symptoms and avoid consequences.
Bursitis symptoms can include discomfort, swelling, soreness, and restricted mobility in the afflicted area. Furthermore, in certain cases, the skin above the afflicted joint may seem red and heated when touched. Recognizing these indications is critical for early intervention and successful disease treatment.
Bursitis commonly occurs in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel (Achilles tendon). However, it can affect any joint in the body where bursae are present.
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, medical history review, and possibly imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI to rule out other conditions and assess the extent of inflammation.
If you are struggling with persistent or intense pain, swelling, or restricted activity in a joint, it is important to seek medical attention if self-care measures are not improving your symptoms. Treatment of Bursitis can only be focused on under the supervision of Dr. Gangrade, a Top Orthopedic Surgeon in Bhopal. Early diagnosis and proper treatment not only prevent possible complications but also speed up the healing process.