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A bursa is a lubricated fluid-filled thin sac located between bones, tendons, muscles, or skin and bony prominences at points of friction or stress. There are over 150 bursae in the human body, and they vary in size and shape depending on the person and location. They are classified as adventitious, subcutaneous, synovial, or submuscular. Bursitis is a painful swelling, usually around the joints, caused by an infection or irritation of a bursa. It is a common condition that affects adults, especially in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and feet.
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What You'll Learn
What is a bursa?
A bursa is a lubricated, fluid-filled thin sac located between bones, tendons, muscles, or skin at points of friction or stress. They are classified by type as adventitious, subcutaneous, synovial, or submuscular. The synovial membrane or synovium lining the bursa contains synovial fluid, which has a consistency comparable to raw egg whites. The bursa's semi-permeable membrane allows certain materials to flow in and out.
There are over 150 bursae in the human body, varying in size and shape depending on the person and location. They are primarily synovial bursae, which are constant in their location and predictable in their formation during embryonic development. The less common type is the adventitious bursa, which forms in response to repeated forces or friction, either from within the body or from outside the skin. These non-native bursae are not permanent and typically form in areas affected by chronic friction, such as the foot.
Subcutaneous bursae are found at the junction of subcutaneous tissue and deep fasciae (fibrous sheets of tissue), acquiring a distinct wall only when they become abnormal. They are sometimes classified as adventitious. Synovial bursae, on the other hand, are thin-walled sacs that reside between tendons, muscles, and bones and are lined with a synovial membrane. They are well-supplied with blood and lymphatic fluids.
Submuscular bursae, such as the trochanteric bursa, are located between adjacent muscles or between muscles and bony prominences. They help prevent the rubbing of muscles during movement and provide resistance-free movement by reducing tension and the negative effects of wear and tear. An example of a subtendinous bursa is the subacromial bursa, which protects the tendon of the shoulder muscle as it passes under the acromion of the scapula.
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What is bursitis?
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and other tissues, like bubble wrap that protects structures throughout the body. There are over 150 bursae in the human body, and they can be found in the shoulders, elbows, knees, feet, hips, and buttocks.
Bursitis is a painful swelling, usually around the joints, that occurs when one or more of these bursae become inflamed. It is often caused by overuse or repeated pressure on the joint, such as from standing, walking, climbing stairs, or physical work. It can also be caused by an injury, such as falling onto the side of the hip, or by underlying conditions that affect the spine, hips, knees, and legs, causing instability.
Bursitis typically causes pain, especially when moving the affected body part, and can result in a limited range of motion. Other symptoms include swelling, redness, and discoloration of the skin. In rare cases, the inflamed bursa can become infected, leading to a condition called septic bursitis, which requires immediate medical attention.
To diagnose bursitis, a doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about the history of the pain. They may also request imaging scans, such as X-rays or MRIs, to rule out other potential causes of the pain, such as fractures. Treatment for bursitis typically involves rest and avoiding activities that irritate the bursa. At-home treatments, such as elevating the injured area, applying ice or heat, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, can also help manage the pain and swelling during the healing process.
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Where are bursae located in the body?
A bursa is a thin, jelly-like, fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion to reduce friction between bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin. There are more than 150 bursae in the human body, located throughout, cushioning the spaces between bones and other tissue.
Bursae are located near joints such as the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, and heels. The iliopsoas bursa, for example, is located on the groin side of the hip, and when it becomes inflamed, the condition is called hip bursitis. The olecranon bursa is located between the skin and bones of the elbow, and the pes anserine bursa is located between the shin bone and the three tendons of the hamstring muscles, on the inside of the knee. The subacromial bursa lies between the acromion and the tendon, creating a cushioned space that enables these parts to glide past one another. A subtendinous bursa is found between a tendon and a bone, such as the suprapatellar bursa, which separates the tendon of the large anterior thigh muscle from the distal femur just above the knee.
Bursae can also be found just underneath the skin, such as the elbow bursa, which can become infected through cuts or scrapes. An adult body typically contains about 160 bursae, and they can be found wedged deep below muscles and tissues. Some bursae are present at birth, while others develop later in parts of the body where frequent friction occurs. For example, the bursae in the elbows typically develop around the age of seven.
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What are the symptoms of bursitis?
A bursa is a small pouch or sac between tendons, muscles, or skin and bony prominences at points of friction or stress. There are more than 150 bursae in the human body. Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more of these bursae. It is a painful condition that results in swelling, usually around joints. The four most common types of bursitis are shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. However, it can also occur in the feet, buttocks, and hands.
Bursitis is often caused by repetitive motions or putting a lot of stress on the joints. It can also be caused by an injury or infection. Symptoms of bursitis include:
- Pain and tenderness that gets worse when moving or applying pressure to the affected area.
- Swelling and redness (if the affected bursa is close to the skin).
- Stiffness.
- Limited range of motion.
- Discoloration.
In most cases, bursitis symptoms develop gradually and are mild. However, they can also be sudden or more severe. The treatment for bursitis usually involves rest and avoiding the activities that irritated the bursa. Applying ice or heat and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can also help reduce pain and swelling. In rare cases, surgery may be required to remove the aggravated bursa.
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How is bursitis treated?
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion to reduce friction between tissues of the body, such as between tendon and bone or between bone and skin. When a bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. This is usually caused by injury, overuse, or infection. It can be very painful and cause swelling, especially around the joints.
Treatment for bursitis
The treatment for bursitis depends on the location and severity of the inflammation, as well as whether the bursa is infected. In most cases, rest is the primary treatment, allowing the bursa to heal. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your joints. It is important to avoid any activity that may cause pain or put pressure on the affected area.
To reduce pain and swelling, you can apply ice or cold packs for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, up to twice an hour for the first 72 hours. After this initial period, you can try using heat or alternating between heat and ice. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen, can also help manage pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are available as pills or creams, can also be used to reduce inflammation.
If the bursitis is caused by infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the bursa. For more severe cases of bursitis, a steroid shot may be injected into the affected area to reduce pain and swelling. Additionally, splints or braces may be used to limit the movement of the affected joint and aid in the healing process.
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Frequently asked questions
A bursa is a lubricated, fluid-filled, thin sac located between bones, tendons, muscles, or skin and bony prominences at points of friction or stress. They are useful to the human body by reducing tension and the negative effects of wear-and-tear at points of friction and providing resistance-free movement.
Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of a bursa sac. It is a painful swelling, usually around your joints, and is common in the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, or feet. It can be caused by an infection or irritation of a bursa.
Usually, rest is all you need to treat bursitis. Avoid the activity or positions that irritated your bursa. Taking a break from activities that put pressure on that part of your body will give it time to heal and prevent further injury. Your provider might also suggest at-home treatments to reduce the pain and swelling while your bursa heals, such as elevating the injured area, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, applying a cold compress, or applying heat.
