Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis, also called “impingement syndrome” is an inflammation of the bursa in the shoulder. A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissues (like muscles, tendons, and skin), helping to reduce friction during movement. In the shoulder, the most commonly affected bursa is the subacromial bursa, located between the acromion (the bony tip of the shoulder blade) and the rotator cuff tendons.
Causes
Shoulder bursitis can occur due to:
• Overuse or repetitive motion: Activities that involve frequent overhead movements (e.g., sports, manual labor).
• Injury or trauma: A direct blow to the shoulder can cause inflammation.
• Age-related changes: Degeneration of tendons and the formation of bone spurs can lead to increased friction and irritation.
• Underlying conditions: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection can also cause bursitis.
​
• Normal anatomy: The shape of the acromion bone differs from person to person and may be flat, curved, or hooked, which may predispose the shoulder to impingement
Symptoms
Common symptoms of shoulder bursitis include:
• Pain: Often located on the top or outer aspect of the shoulder, especially when lifting the arm.
• Tenderness: Sensitivity to touch over the affected area.
• Swelling: Mild swelling due to inflammation.
• Limited range of motion: Discomfort or stiffness when trying to move the shoulder, especially in certain directions (like reaching overhead).
• Weakness: In severe cases, weakness can occur due to pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is primarily clinical and typically involves:
• Physical examination: Assessing pain, tenderness, and range of motion.
• Imaging: X-rays can rule out other causes like bone spurs, while ultrasound or MRI can visualize inflamed bursae or associated tendon problems.
• Aspiration: In rare cases, fluid may be withdrawn from the bursa to check for infection.
Treatment
Treatment options for shoulder bursitis include:
• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms.
• Ice: Applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can alleviate pain and swelling.
• Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises can improve shoulder mechanics.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections can significantly reduce inflammation and pain.
• Surgical intervention: Rarely needed but may involve removing the inflamed bursa if conservative treatments fail.
Prognosis
Bursitis is generally self-limited and most patients recover over a period of a few months with time and appropriate anti-inflammatory measures.
​
Prevention
• Proper posture: Maintaining good posture during activities.
• Warm-up: Performing proper warm-up and stretching before exercise.
• Strength training: Keeping shoulder muscles strong can prevent overuse injuries.
• Avoid repetitive stress: Take breaks during activities involving overhead movements.
​