• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
    • Shoulder Injuries
    • Knee Injuries
    • Elbow Injuries
  • About
Blog / Articles / Sports Medicine

What is Bursitis : Terminology Tuesday

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated September 17, 2021

Featured image placeholder

Bursitis is a term that most of us have heard… yet the majority have no idea what it actually is.

A bursa is a small, very thin walled sac that the body puts between a bony prominence and the skin or muscles and tendons.  We literally have dozens of bursae all around the body.

shoulder bursitisThe cells inside the wall of the bursa make a small amount of fluid to allow our bones and tendons to glide on one another without pain or friction.  If the bursa becomes inflamed, or infected then the cells will make a lot more fluid.  The bursa will become larger and it can be quite painful.

Common Causes of Bursitis:

  • Trauma or Injury
  • Gout
  • Chronic repetitive stress
  • Infections

By far the most common cause of bursitis is chronic  repetitive stress.  The most common areas in our body to suffer from bursitis are the:

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Elbow and
  • Ankle

patella bursitisMost cases of bursitis will subside or go away on its own.  Moist heat, anti-inflammatories and gentle compression can help a more stubborn case.  On rare occasion, removal of the fluid or a steroid injection can be useful to get a nasty case of bursitis to go away.

 

Categories: Sports Medicine

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

“The seven simple steps to make ‘longevity simplified’, will help to improve your metabolic health right now.” – Dr. Neil Meigh

Learn More
Read Reviews

Related Articles

Moderate-intensity training to improve mitochondrial fitness and endurance skills
metabolic health and orthopedic surgery
Metabolic Syndrome’s Downstream Consequences
Does our weight increase the risk of dementia? It appears so.
new runners HRV and training
Incorporating HRV into your training as a runner
Zone 2 heart rate training and longevity
The Causes and Presentation of Heart Disease… A Case Study
treadmill running
4 Things Runners Shouldn’t Do
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Primary Sidebar

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

Learn More
Read Reviews

Reader Favorites

  • Batters shoulder posterior labral tear
    Batter’s Shoulder : Posterior Labral Tears
  • LEg exercises improve longevity
    Runners require strength too: What to do and when to do it
  • calcific tendonitis and severe shoulder pain
    Why Does My Shoulder Hurt So Much?
  • lactate polarized training
    Lactate, the lactate shuttle, and lactate threshold workouts in polarized training
  • Zone 2 heart rate training
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  • knee swelling
    Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes
  • Polarized training for runners
    Polarized training for everyday runners: Part 1
  • Exercise is more important than ever
    Does Exercise Cause Osteoarthritis?

Howard J Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Phone: (914)-559-1900
Book Appointment

Pages

  • About
  • Upcoming Books
  • Testimonials
  • In The News
  • Media Photos
  • Contact

Topics

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Elbow
  • Metabolic Health
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Training

More

  • COVID
  • Ankle
  • Hip
  • PRP
  • Running
  • Sports Medicine
  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
  • About

© 2023 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.