Bursitis Treatment: Symptoms, Causes & Home Remedies (2026)

Statistics & Prevalence

Bursitis affects millions of people annually. Hip (trochanteric) bursitis has a prevalence of 10-25% in the general population. Shoulder bursitis accounts for a significant portion of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Prepatellar bursitis ("housemaid's knee") affects those who kneel frequently. Bursitis is more common in adults over 40 and in those with repetitive motion activities. Most cases resolve within weeks with proper treatment.

What is Bursitis?

Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located throughout the body near joints. They provide cushioning and reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles during movement. When bursae become inflamed, the condition is called bursitis. **There Are Over 150 Bursae in the Body. Most Common Sites:** - **Shoulder (subacromial):** Under the rotator cuff - **Hip (trochanteric):** Outer hip - **Knee (prepatellar, infrapatellar):** Front of kneecap, below kneecap - **Elbow (olecranon):** Tip of elbow - **Ankle/heel (retrocalcaneal):** Behind Achilles tendon **Types of Bursitis:** - **Traumatic/Mechanical:** From overuse or direct pressure - **Infectious (Septic):** From bacterial infection—serious, requires antibiotics - **Inflammatory:** Associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout Most bursitis is from overuse or repetitive pressure, not infection.

Why Bursitis Happens

**Common Causes by Location:** **Shoulder Bursitis:** - Repetitive overhead motions (throwing, swimming, painting) - Rotator cuff problems - Poor posture - Sleeping on one side **Hip (Trochanteric) Bursitis:** - Repetitive friction from IT band - Lying on one side frequently - Running on banked surfaces - Leg length discrepancy - Gluteal muscle weakness **Knee Bursitis:** - Prolonged kneeling (prepatellar—"housemaid's knee") - Direct trauma to knee - Overuse from running or jumping - Osteoarthritis **Elbow Bursitis:** - Leaning on elbow repeatedly - Direct blow to elbow - Infection (more common here) - Gout or rheumatoid arthritis **General Risk Factors:** - Age (more common over 40) - Repetitive motions or positions - Occupations requiring kneeling or overhead work - Arthritis conditions - Diabetes (higher infection risk) - Being overweight - Previous bursitis

Common Symptoms

Pain at the affected joint, especially with movement
Swelling over the bursa
Tenderness when pressing the area
Stiffness in the joint
Pain that worsens at night or when lying on the area
Pain with specific activities (reaching, kneeling, climbing stairs)
Warmth and redness (may indicate infection)
Limited range of motion
Pain that increases over days to weeks

Possible Causes

Repetitive motions or overuse
Prolonged pressure (kneeling, leaning on elbow)
Direct trauma or injury
Infection (septic bursitis)
Arthritis (rheumatoid, gout, osteoarthritis)
Muscle weakness or imbalance
Age-related changes
Improper exercise technique
Poor posture
Bone spurs

Note: These are potential causes. A healthcare provider can help determine the specific cause in your case.

Quick Self-Care Tips

1Rest the affected area and avoid activities that worsen pain
2Apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times daily
3Take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for pain and inflammation
4Use cushioning or padding for repetitive pressure (knee pads, elbow pads)
5Avoid sleeping on the affected side
6Stretch and strengthen surrounding muscles once pain subsides
7Modify activities that caused the problem
8Consider a brace or support during aggravating activities
9Don't ignore signs of infection (fever, spreading redness, warmth)

Disclaimer: These are general wellness suggestions, not medical treatment recommendations. They may help manage symptoms but should not replace professional medical care.

Home Remedies & Natural Solutions

1

Ice Therapy

Apply ice packs to the inflamed bursa for 15-20 minutes, several times daily. Ice reduces inflammation and numbs pain. Always use a cloth barrier between ice and skin. Ice is especially helpful in the first few days and after any activity that aggravates symptoms.

2

Rest and Activity Modification

Avoid activities that stress the inflamed bursa. For hip bursitis, avoid lying on that side and reduce running/stairs initially. For knee bursitis, avoid kneeling. For shoulder, avoid overhead reaching. Rest doesn't mean complete inactivity—gentle movement is okay—but avoid aggravating motions.

3

Stretching and Strengthening

Once acute inflammation subsides, stretching and strengthening help prevent recurrence. For hip bursitis: stretch IT band, strengthen gluteal muscles. For shoulder: rotator cuff exercises. For knee: quad strengthening. Address the muscle imbalances or weaknesses that contributed to bursitis developing.

4

Padding and Protection

Use padding to protect the bursa from pressure. Knee pads for activities requiring kneeling, elbow pads for desk work, cushioning when lying on the affected side. For hip bursitis, a mattress topper can reduce pressure while sleeping.

Note: Home remedies may help relieve symptoms but are not substitutes for medical treatment. Consult a healthcare provider before trying any new remedy, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

FDA-Approved Medications

Important: The medications listed below are FDA-approved treatments. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any medication. This information is for educational purposes only.

NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)

First-line treatment for bursitis. Reduces inflammation and pain. Available OTC or prescription strength. May take 1-2 weeks of regular use for significant anti-inflammatory effect.

Warning: Can cause stomach upset, ulcers, kidney issues. Use lowest effective dose. Avoid with kidney disease or heart problems.

Corticosteroid Injection

Powerful anti-inflammatory injected directly into the inflamed bursa. Provides significant relief within days, lasting weeks to months. Very effective for bursitis that doesn't respond to oral medications.

Warning: Limited to 2-3 injections per site per year. May cause temporary increase in pain. Risks include infection and tendon weakening if done repeatedly. Effective but effects may be temporary.

Topical NSAIDs (Voltaren Gel)

Can be applied directly over the inflamed bursa for local anti-inflammatory effect. Less systemic absorption than oral NSAIDs. Helpful for superficial bursitis.

Warning: Don't apply to broken skin. Wash hands after use. May be less effective for deep bursae.

Antibiotics (for Septic Bursitis)

If bursitis is caused by bacterial infection (septic bursitis), antibiotics are essential. Often requires drainage of infected fluid as well. Common antibiotics: dicloxacillin, cephalexin, or others based on culture.

Warning: Septic bursitis is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment. Signs: fever, spreading redness, severe pain, warmth. See doctor immediately if infection suspected.

Physical Therapy

Not a medication, but PT is often prescribed to address underlying causes: muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, weakness. Helps prevent recurrence once acute inflammation resolves.

Warning: Start after acute inflammation improves. Requires consistent effort for best results.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Pain and swelling don't improve after 1-2 weeks of home treatment
You have fever or chills with joint swelling (possible infection)
The area is very red, warm, and spreading
Pain is severe and disabling
You can't move the joint normally
Pain developed suddenly after an injury
You have recurring bursitis
Home treatments aren't providing relief

Frequently Asked Questions about Bursitis

Click on a question to see the answer.

With proper treatment, most bursitis improves within 2-4 weeks. However, if you continue aggravating activities or don't address underlying causes, it can become chronic and last months. Factors affecting recovery: severity of inflammation, how early treatment begins, whether you rest adequately, and if you address contributing factors (muscle weakness, posture, etc.).

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac), while tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon (which connects muscle to bone). They often occur together and in similar locations. Symptoms are similar—pain, tenderness, swelling. Treatment is also similar: rest, ice, NSAIDs, and addressing contributing factors. A doctor can distinguish them based on exam findings.

Most bursitis is not serious—it's painful but resolves with treatment. However, septic (infected) bursitis IS serious and requires prompt medical attention. Signs of infection: fever, spreading redness, severe pain, warmth, feeling unwell. Elbow bursitis (olecranon) is more prone to infection. If you suspect infection, see a doctor immediately—it can spread if untreated.

It can, especially if you don't address the underlying cause. Prevention strategies: strengthen surrounding muscles, correct posture or movement patterns, use padding for repetitive pressure, warm up before activity, and avoid prolonged positions that stress the bursa. If bursitis keeps recurring, discuss with a doctor—there may be an underlying issue to address.