Shoulder Bursitis Treatment in Northern Indiana

What is Shoulder Bursitis?

Shoulder bursitis is when a sac in the shoulder gets inflamed. It's a condition that generally causes pain, and sometimes redness and swelling.

A bursa is a thin, sac-like structure that is found between skin and bones, between tendons and bones, or between ligaments and bones where there might be rubbing.

In other words, they help reduce the friction between the hard bone and soft tissue, allowing joints to move smoothly.

Shoulder Bursitis Symptoms

Bursitis can cause shoulder pain that comes on quickly or slowly. You may experience a dull ache, a sharp pain, or just a little soreness.

Other signs of bursitis in the shoulder are:

  • Shoulder pain or a feeling that the shoulder is swollen
  • It hurts to move your arm around
  • Pain at night when sleeping on the affected side
  • Sharp or biting pain when the shoulder is moved up and down

Types of Shoulder Bursitis

The different types of shoulder bursitis include:

  • Chronic - Chronic shoulder bursitis is the most common and can result from repeated acute bursitis. Symptom flare-ups may last months, and chronic inflammation weakens the arms and shoulders
  • Acute - This kind comes on quickly, usually because of an accident or injury, and it hurts to touch or move the shoulder
  • Infectious - In rare circumstances, bacterial infections can induce infectious shoulder bursitis, which may cause red or purple shoulders and feel warm. Fever and illness may occur and shoulder pain may be severe

Shoulder Bursitis Treatment

Nonsurgical treatments to help relieve shoulder bursitis pain and symptoms include but are not limited to:

  • Changing activities - This may mean stopping activities that irritate the shoulder
  • Ice packs - This will help reduce swelling
  • Pain relievers - Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation
  • Steroid injections - Temporarily reduce pain
  • Physical therapy - A physical therapist can help you with exercises to increase strength and improve your range of motion
  • Antibiotics for infectious bursitis - To help clear up bacterial infections

Your doctor may suggest shoulder surgery if your symptoms get worse or don't get better with non-surgical treatments. This surgery could be done arthroscopically, which involves small incisions and using a tiny camera known as an arthroscope to look inside the joint and make repairs.

How to Prevent Shoulder Bursitis

Below is a list of suggestions that may help you reduce your risk of shoulder bursitis:

  • Stretch and strengthen your shoulders by doing regular exercises
  • Before doing any activity, warm up the shoulder
  • Take breaks when the activity you are doing involves repeated shoulder movements
  • Wear a shoulder brace to take some of the pressure off your shoulder

Shoulder Bursitis Care in Michiana

Our physicians at OSMC can help you through every step of your shoulder bursitis, from preparing for surgery to getting back to full function afterward. If you are struggling with the symptoms above, reach out to us and make an appointment at one of our locations.