Bursitis Information

Last reviewed on 16 January 2024 by Danniel Jacques (B.Med.Sci UNSW)

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis Treatment OSMO PatchBursitis is the irritation and inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a small lubricated balloon like sac found throughout the body. These sacs help bones and tendons to articulate and glide over each other by reducing friction and irritation.

The bursae contain a small amount of lubricating fluid within them known as ‘synovial fluid’. These sacs are located around joints and other moving parts of the body, such as the shoulder, elbow, foot, hip, knee and ankle.

The bursae act like cushions while also reducing friction between sliding tendons and bones. Occasionally a bursa will be subjected to ongoing stress or a sudden trauma. When this occurs it usually results in an inflamed bursa that fills with fluid. This condition is known as BURSITIS and can be the cause of considerable discomfort and pain.

What Causes Bursitis?

There are a number of possible causes of bursitis and these include overuse and repetitive strain, a sudden impact injury,  several autoimmune diseases as well as other disorders. In many cases there will already be pre-existing age related degenerative changes in the joint that make an individual more susceptible to inflammation and subsequent episodes of bursitis.

There is an increased risk in developing bursitis for individuals working in some physical jobs or participating in regular sports. This is due to placing repetitive stress and strain on their joints, which increases their risk of developing bursitis. An example of this would be a carpenter developing knee bursitis or a golfer, elbow bursitis.

Identifying the cause of the bursitis is important as this may help with the treatment of the condition. For example, identifying the cause may allow you to eliminate or avoid an activity that initially led to the condition.

What Parts of the Body can Bursitis Affect?

What are the Symptoms of Bursitis?

The signs and symptoms of bursitis can vary from individual to individual depending on the degree of inflammation and will normally include localised pain and tenderness.

An extremely inflamed bursa may also result in visible swelling that appears as a lump. Visible swelling is a particularly common symptom of both knee and elbow bursitis that may cause joint stiffness and extreme pain when weight or pressure is applied to that affected joint.

(Diagnosis of bursitis should always be confirmed by a qualified doctor prior to starting any treatment and will often require an ultrasound).

How is Bursitis Diagnosed?

It is always best to visit a qualified medical professional if you suspect that you have bursitis in order to get a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment.

While many areas of bursitis can be assessed by a physical and visual examination it is still best to have an ultrasound to properly confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may also feel that additional images or tests, such as an MRI, X-Ray and/or blood tests, are required to rule out other possible causes or co-existing conditions.

Next Page: Learn the answers to the most common questions asked about treating bursitis, including:

Testimonials

Real accounts by real people. Hear what they have to say!

Trochanteric Bursitis

Hello Jordan,

Thank you for your informative reply, I shall take notice of the hints and tips in your e-mail and will apply them during the treatment of my wife’s Trochanteric Bursitis.

It may interest you to know of the progress with the OSMO patches. Days 1 to 4 a small reduction in the swelling in the thigh. Days 4 to 7 a further reduction in swelling but no reduction in pain. Days 8 to 9 swelling almost gone and a big reduction in pain. We now await delivery of our second box of patches and hope the improvement continues.

Thanks for your assistance.

Brian M
Lancs, UK
Knee problems

Dear Danniel,

I fell 1.5 meters landing on my patella. The pain was severe, after 2 weeks on crutches I was left with a fluid-filled bursa the size of half a golf-ball. I already had a swelling just below my kneecap for 5 years, and another specialist had thought this was probably a lipoma.

I’ve used 16 patches so far, in conjunction with acupuncture. The bursa began to shrink from the first patch, and is now almost gone. I’ve been able to return to my Taiji classes. What is more surprising is that the ‘lipoma’ also has almost vanished.

So, no invasive needle drainage for me, no surgery, and I’m recovering fast.

I am very impressed

Paul S
Auckland, New Zealand
Elbow bursitis

Thank you. Just to let you know, your product is supreme!

I’d been suffering with bursitis on my elbow for months, but now it’s totally healed in just two applications.

Thank you so much.

DEANDREA I
California, United States
Shoulder bursitis

Hi, I just reordered some of those wonderful patches. I also wanted to leave some feedback but couldn’t find anywhere on the site. I’ve used the patches once before for my shoulder bursitis. The most pain I have is at night, and it is very hard to sleep. So, I tried to patches, and to […]

Lyn B
VIC, Australia
General Bursitis

Toky, I am writing to you again because my husband wants to order additional patches.  He says that they are amazing for his severe leg cramps.  He sleeps through the night whereas before using the patches he would get up 3 or 4 times a night with cramping in his legs.

Sheila W
Connecticut, United States
Bursa in elbow

Thank you so much for your attention and immediate response to my e-mail.

About 9 months ago I slipped on a ladder and banged my elbow which resulted in a bursa sac; This was the first time ever, but about two months ago it happened again. Your patches worked great both times. They significantly reduced my recovery time.

Thanks again!

Kent A
Florida, United States
Trochanteric Bursitis

Dear Toky,

I wanted to let you know that the Bursitis Patches have worked on my Trochanteric Bursitis.

I cannot believe it. I do not have the pain or swelling there that I have had before. It is very cool. I just wanted to let you know that, also.

We will see if it flares up again. Thanks so much for answering my questions and caring about my daughter, also. It will stay with me for a long time.

May you feel blessed and loved. Have a great day!! Take Care!!

Jennifer P
Sunnyvale, United States
Bursa on elbow

Hi, I want to add to your list of testimonials my experience.

I developed a bursa on my right elbow by supporting a heavy motor which was the size of a tennis ball. I was attracted by your lists of results and tried 10 patches. The bursa reduced in size to perhaps a golf ball, Determined to follow through, I bought 10 more and continued treatment.

It has now disappeared completely and not returned. I have little doubt your patches worked the miracle on my elbow and heartily endorse their claims to fame.

Jim K
Lancashire, United Kingdom
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