What is bursitis and what causes it?

Answer 1

A "Bursa" is plural for "Bursae " which is a fluid-filled sac lined by synovial membrane with an inner capillary layer of slimy fluid (similar in consistency to that of a raw egg white). It provides a cushion between bones and tendons and/or muscles around a joint. This helps to reduce friction between the bones and allows free movement. Bursae are filled with synovial fluid and are found around most major joints of the body. There are 160 bursae in a human body. Without the bursa, movement would be painful.

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa. They can become inflamed from injury, infection (rare in the shoulder), or due to an underlying rheumatic condition. Examples of bursitis include injury as subtle as lifting a bag of groceries into the car to inflame the shoulder bursa, infection of the bursa in front of the knee from a knee scraping on asphalt, and inflammation of the elbow bursa from gout crystals.

Answer 2

According to the Mayo Clinic website:

Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs - called bursae - that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints.

Bursitis is caused by inflamed bursae. This happens because of repetitive motions or positions that irritate the bursae around a joint, such as throwing a Baseball over and over, extensive kneeling, or prolonged leaning or sitting. Other causes include injury, inflammatory Arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and infection.

Answer 3

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa sac, which is a small fluid-filled pouch that helps reduce friction between tissues such as bones, tendons, and muscles. It is typically caused by repetitive movement or pressure on a joint, injury, or underlying medical conditions like arthritis.