What Causes Bursitis?
The president and managing physician at High Desert Family Medicine and Immediate Care in Oregon, Daniel Skotte has been working in medicine for upwards of three decades. A graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Daniel Skotte spent most of his medical career in the military, and has become familiar with several common family medicine issues.
Bursitis, a common issue seen by many family medicine practitioners, is a painful condition that develops in the bursa. This fluid-filled sac is located primarily in the joints, and provides cushion to the bones, muscles, and tendons to reduce friction.
Most often, bursitis results from repetitive motion or positions that put pressure on the joint. For example, leaning on the elbows for extended periods of time or repeatedly throwing a baseball increases the chances that the bursa in the elbow or shoulder will become inflamed. When this occurs, the bursitis is often categorized at chronic bursitis.
Trauma caused by direct impact or repetitive injury is another common cause of bursitis, though it is primarily associated with acute bursitis.
Infections and rheumatoid conditions have also been linked to the development of bursitis. Typically, infections affect bursae that are close to the skin, resulting in a condition known as septic bursitis. It’s most common among people with suppressed immune systems due to certain kidney conditions or medications.
Meanwhile, gout and other rheumatoid diseases can cause crystals to form in the bursae. This may also irritate the bursae and cause them to become inflamed.
