Treatment and Prevention
A mild bout of bursitis that is not caused by bacteria is usually treated with rest or a splint, ice packs, or aspirin* or other anti-inflammatory medications. Physiotherapy treatments like ultrasound may be helpful.
If that doesn't work, an injection of corticosteroids mixed with local anesthesia may be tried. These medications are injected directly into the bursa. The injection can cause local side effects, such as acute reaction, infection, and bleeding. The injection usually causes fewer, if any, of the side effects that can occur from corticosteroids taken by mouth.
Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatories that usually reduce the inflammation, though often only temporarily. If corticosteroid injections don't help, the same medication might be given in pill form. It's important to discuss the benefits and risks of corticosteroids taken by mouth because of the much more serious risk of side effects from oral corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are never given to people with bacterial infections, which are treated with antibiotics.
Sometimes, your doctor will draw some fluid out with a needle to see if there are signs of more serious disease. However, the fluid usually reappears even after removal, so this procedure may need to be repeated.
When you are recovering from bursitis, it is vital to exercise the joint's full range of motion so that you do not end up with a contracted joint. Your doctor or therapist will give you a detailed plan, depending on which joint is used and the degree of muscle atrophy. Physiotherapy and ultrasound are other types of treatment your doctor may suggest.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Michael E. Makover, MD, is a professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor at NYU College of Arts and Sciences. He is in the private practice of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine in New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.