Developer site: The content shown here is test data.

MyEClinic
MyEClinic
Health Dictionary AI Health Chat Find an Online Doctor
A serene Zen garden with raked sand and smooth stones, symbolising clarity and calm

Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

Back to skin conditions

Bursitis history and symptoms

Introduction

Overview

Overview

The symptoms of bursitis vary based on the location of the inflammation. Focal swelling, pain, and redness are symptoms common to all forms of bursitis. Limbing, upper or lower extremity weakness, and fever are possible depending on the type of bursitis. Obtaining a complete history is helpful in determining whether the bursitis is associated with any specific hobbies or work-related activities.[1][2][3]

History and symptoms

History and symptoms

It is critical to collect a detailed and thorough history from the patient. Obtaining a complete history will be helpful in determining whether the bursitis is associated with any specific activities.

History

Specific areas to focus on when obtaining a history from the patient include:[1]

Type of Bursitis History
Subacromial bursitis[2]
Olecranon bursitis[4][5]
  • History of direct trauma to the posterior elbow
  • History of microtrauma, such as constantly rubbing the elbow against a table while writing
  • History of certain occupations, such as plumbers and technicians
  • History of systemic inflammatory processes such as rheumatoid arthritis
  • History of crystal deposition disease, including gout and pseudogout
Trochanteric bursitis[6][7]
Prepatellar bursitis[3][8]
Retrocalcaneal bursitis[1][9]

Symptoms

The symptoms of bursitis differ based on the anatomic location. Localized pain with movement and decreased range of motion (ROM) are symptoms common to all forms of bursitis. Localized redness or warmth are variable and seen in superficial bursitis. Septic bursitis is associated with fever, in addition to other symptoms.

Type of Bursitis Symptoms
Subacromial bursitis[2]
  • Mid-shoulder pain early in the course of bursitis, which gradually increases over time; eventually pain may be felt even at rest
  • Pain after repetitive activity such as painting, throwing a ball, or playing tennis
  • Pain worsens at night
  • Popping sensation with shoulder movements
Olecranon bursitis[4][5]
  • Painful or painless focal swelling at the posterior elbow
Trochanteric bursitis[6][7]
  • Pain in the lateral side of the hip with walking, running, or stair-climbing
  • Weakness of the lower extremities
  • Pain with active and passive motion
Prepatellar bursitis[3][8]
Retrocalcaneal bursitis[1][9]
  • Swelling at the back of heel
  • Pain at the back of the heel, especially when running uphill
  • Pain while standing on tiptoes
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Fauci, Anthony S., and Carol Langford. Harrison’s rheumatology. McGraw Hill Professional, 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Walker‐Bone, Karen, et al. “Prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb in the general population.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Aaron, Daniel L., et al. “Four common types of bursitis: diagnosis and management.” Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 19.6 (2011): 359-367.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Stell IM (1996). “Septic and non-septic olecranon bursitis in the accident and emergency department–an approach to management”. J Accid Emerg Med. 13 (5): 351–3. PMC 1342774. PMID 8894865.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lockman L (2010). “Treating nonseptic olecranon bursitis: a 3-step technique”. Can Fam Physician. 56 (11): 1157. PMC 2980436. PMID 21075998.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brinks A, van Rijn RM, Bohnen AM, Slee GL, Verhaar JA, Koes BW; et al. (2007). “Effect of corticosteroid injection for trochanter pain syndrome: design of a randomised clinical trial in general practice”. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 8: 95. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-8-95. PMC 2045096. PMID 17880718.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Karpinski MR, Piggott H (1985). “Greater trochanteric pain syndrome. A report of 15 cases”. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 67 (5): 762–3. PMID 4055877.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Huang, Yu-Chih, and Wen-Lin Yeh. “Endoscopic treatment of prepatellar bursitis.” International orthopaedics 35.3 (2011): 355-358.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lyman, Jeffrey, Paul S. Weinhold, and Louis C. Almekinders. “Strain behavior of the distal Achilles tendon implications for insertional Achilles tendinopathy.” The American Journal of Sports Medicine 32.2 (2004): 457-461.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2]