Types of Bursitis

Bursitis or inflammation in the bursa can be infectious or non-infectious. Infectious bursitis is caused due to the infection of the bacteria to the bursa. Non-infectious bursitis is caused due to repetitive stress, trauma, crystal depositions, illness, etc. It can happen in any part of the body where the joints are protected by this fluid filled sac to reduce the friction between the tissues. Depending upon their location and the bursa, which is affected, bursitis is classified into various types.

Here are some of the common types of bursitis.

Subacromial bursitis

Subacromial bursitis is also called as shoulder bursitis. It is caused due to the inflammation of the subacromial bursa present in the shoulder joint. This bursa is present in the rotator cuff joint that separates one of the tendons of the rotator cuff from the ligament present in this joint. You may have difficulty in moving your shoulders if you suffer from this type of bursitis.

Greater Trochanteric pain syndrome

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is also called as trochanteric bursitis. Inflammation caused in the trochanteric bursa is called as trochanteric bursitis. Trochanteric bursa is one of the four bursae that is present in the hip joint located adjacent to the femur.

Ischial bursitis

Ischial bursitis is also called as ischiogluteal bursitis, which is caused in the buttock area. It is caused due to inflammation in the ischial or ischiogluteal bursa. This bursa lies between the pelvic bone and the hamstring muscle. Person suffering form this type of bursitis have difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, running, bending, etc.

Olecranon bursitis or elbow bursitis

Olecranon bursitis occurs in the olecranon bursa. It is the portion of the elbow where the pointed bone and the loose skin of the elbow joint lie. It is therefore called as elbow bursitis. The bursa in this location may be inflamed due to the irritation in the bursa because of trauma or repetitive motion. This flat bursa may swell due to irritation and cause pain while moving the hand.

Achilles bursitis

Achilles bursitis or Clacaneal bursitis is a type of bursitis that occurs under the heel bone. This type of bursitis is more common in athletes due to overuse of the heel joint while running and walking. This is mainly due to improper fitting shoes. There are two types of calcaneal bursitis, retro calcaneal bursitis and inferior calcaneal bursitis depending upon the location of the heel they are caused.

Prepatellar bursitis

Prepatellar bursitis is the inflammation caused in the prepatellar bursa above the kneecap i.e. patella. It is also called ‘Housemaid’s knee’. This is caused to people who need to stand for a long time in one place. Pressure exerted on the knees due to prolonged standing cause inflammation in this bursa.

Pes anserinus bursitis

Pes anserinus bursitis is also the inflammation in the knee bursa, but this inflammation is caused in the pes anserinus bursa, which is present in the inner part of the knee joint. It is caused due to friction while walking, running, etc. It is also called as anserine bursitis.

Infrapatellar Bursitis

Ifrapetellar bursitis is caused due to inflammation in the infrapetellar bursa, which is present below the kneecap. It is also ‘Clergyman’s knee’. This is a less common form of bursitis, which occurs when the bursa here is injured. You may suffer from pain and redness in the knee.

There are about 160 bursae in the human body and irritation and inflammation in any of them can cause bursitis. They can be treated by some physical therapies, medications and home remedies. They should be treated before the pain worsens or else you may have to undergo some surgical treatments. If you have pain in the joints, you can diagnose whether it is due to inflammation in bursa by physical examination, X-ray or MRI.

Related posts:

• Chronic Bursitis
• Bursitis Diagnosis
• Hip Bursitis Exercises
• Calcific Bursitis