Bursitis Treatment in Castle Rock
What is Bursitis?
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, and muscles around a joint. When a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, the condition is called bursitis. It causes localized pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling near the affected joint.
Bursitis can feel similar to arthritis because the pain occurs near a joint, but the two conditions are different. Arthritis involves damage to the joint cartilage itself, while bursitis involves inflammation of the cushioning structure outside the joint. The distinction matters because the treatments are different. Dr. Carrera's team evaluates your symptoms and exam findings to determine whether the pain is coming from the joint, the bursa, or both.
Hip Bursitis (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
Hip bursitis - more accurately called greater trochanteric pain syndrome - is one of the most common types of bursitis. It causes pain on the outside of the hip, over the bony prominence called the greater trochanter. The pain is often worse when lying on the affected side, walking up stairs, getting up from a seated position, or crossing the legs.
This condition is frequently confused with hip joint arthritis, but the pain location is different. Hip joint arthritis typically causes groin pain, while trochanteric bursitis causes pain on the outside of the hip. Some patients have both conditions at the same time.
Common causes include overuse (running, cycling, hiking), IT band tightness, altered gait from a back or knee problem, and simply aging. Women are affected more often than men.
Treatment: A steroid injection into the trochanteric bursa provides fast relief for most patients. This can often be done during the initial consultation. PRP is available as a steroid-free alternative with growing evidence for trochanteric pain syndrome. Physical therapy focused on IT band stretching, hip strengthening, and gait correction helps prevent recurrence.
Shoulder Bursitis (Subacromial Bursitis)
The subacromial bursa sits between the rotator cuff and the bony arch above it (the acromion). When this bursa becomes inflamed, it causes pain with overhead reaching, difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder, and pain when lifting the arm to the side. Shoulder bursitis often coexists with rotator cuff tendinitis or impingement syndrome.
Treatment: A subacromial steroid injection can reduce inflammation and improve shoulder mobility. PRP may be considered for patients with associated rotator cuff tendinopathy or partial tears. Physical therapy is important for restoring range of motion and strengthening the rotator cuff to prevent recurrence.
Other Types of Bursitis
While hip and shoulder bursitis are the most common types treated in a pain management setting, bursitis can affect other areas as well:
Knee bursitis (prepatellar bursitis): Swelling and pain at the front of the kneecap, often from kneeling on hard surfaces.
Elbow bursitis (olecranon bursitis): Swelling at the tip of the elbow, often from leaning on hard surfaces or direct impact.
Ischial bursitis (sit bone pain): Pain at the bottom of the pelvis, worse with prolonged sitting.
Dr. Carrera's team can evaluate and treat bursitis in any location.
What Causes Bursitis?
Repetitive motion: Activities that involve repeated use of a joint - running, cycling, overhead lifting, gardening - can irritate the bursa over time.
Direct pressure: Kneeling on hard floors, leaning on elbows, or sleeping on one side can compress and inflame a bursa.
Injury: A fall or direct blow to a joint can trigger acute bursitis.
Other conditions: Arthritis, gout, and infection can all cause or contribute to bursitis. If the bursa is red, warm, and very swollen, infection (septic bursitis) should be ruled out.
How is Bursitis Diagnosed?
Bursitis is usually diagnosed based on your history and physical examination. The team assesses the location of tenderness, whether pain is reproduced with specific movements, and whether there is visible swelling. Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI) may be ordered if the diagnosis is unclear or if the team needs to rule out a tear, fracture, or other condition.
One of the most important steps is distinguishing bursitis from other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Hip bursitis is frequently misdiagnosed as hip arthritis or referred pain from the lumbar spine. Shoulder bursitis can overlap with rotator cuff tears or frozen shoulder. The evaluation determines which problem is the primary pain driver.
How is Bursitis Treated?
Most bursitis responds well to targeted treatment:
Steroid injection: An injection of corticosteroid directly into the inflamed bursa is the fastest and most effective treatment for most cases. Relief typically begins within one to two days. This can often be done during the initial consultation for straightforward cases. More on the steroid injections page.
PRP injection: For patients who want to avoid steroids or who have recurrent bursitis, platelet-rich plasma may provide longer-lasting relief. Evidence is growing for trochanteric pain syndrome in particular. More on the PRP page.
Physical therapy: Stretching, strengthening, and correcting the movement patterns that caused the bursitis help prevent it from coming back.
Activity modification: Temporarily avoiding the movement or position that triggered the bursitis allows the inflammation to settle.
Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) can reduce mild inflammation. These are often a reasonable first step before considering an injection.
When Should I See a Specialist for Bursitis?
If your bursitis has not improved after a few weeks of rest, ice, and over-the-counter medications, a targeted injection can often resolve it quickly. You should also seek evaluation if the area is very red, warm, or swollen (possible infection), if you have recurrent bursitis that keeps coming back, or if you are unsure whether your pain is from bursitis, arthritis, or another condition.
Schedule an Evaluation
If bursitis is limiting your activity or keeps coming back, a targeted injection can often resolve it quickly. Dr. Carrera's team can frequently evaluate and treat bursitis during the same visit.