Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the bursae we have in our bodies. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. When these cushions become overworked, they can swell, causing painful joint inflammation—which can be and acute injury (short-term) or chronic or serious injuries (long-term), depending on the amount of damage done to the bursae.
Bursitis usually occurs near joints that perform repetitive motion and result in what is commonly known as a repetitive strain injury. Examples include:
- Throwing or lifting something over your head repeatedly
- Leaning on your elbows for long periods
- Kneeling for tasks such as laying carpet and tiles or scrubbing floors.
You may also suffer bursitis from injury or trauma to the affected area, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and infection. When you suffer from bursitis it can be debilitating and have a serious impact on your quality of life.