Tendinitis & Bursitis

1 in 31

Approximately 1 in 31 people in the US have bursitis, that’s 8.7 million people.

80%

of the patient population with bursitis is male.

What are tendinitis and bursitis?

Tendinitis (also called tendonitis) and bursitis are separate conditions that involve the pain, swelling, and inflammation in the soft tissue around a joint. Both conditions occur as a result of overusing muscles and tendons, especially through repetitive movements such as gardening, pounding a hammer, or throwing a ball. Bursitis and tendinitis are also linked to infections and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendon, or the tissue that connects the muscle to the bone. The tendons ordinarily help muscles move bones. Bursitis involves inflammation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between your bone, muscle, tendons, and skin. When your tendons or bursa are inflamed, the result is pain that gets worse during movement.

There are several types of each condition, and the type of bursitis or tendinitis that you have is determined by the areas of your body that are most affected by the condition. Bursitis and tendinitis are often co-occurring, which means people often have both conditions at the same time.

Who is affected?

Anyone can be diagnosed with tendinitis and bursitis, though older people are more likely to develop the conditions due to tendons becoming less flexible with age. Women are more likely than men to develop bursitis of the hip. [1]

Participating in certain sports or jobs that require repetitive motion, awkward positions, or other irregular movements may make you more at risk of developing tendinitis and bursitis. Certain conditions can also put you at greater risk of developing bursitis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes.

What happens in your body?

Tendinitis often involves the following symptoms near the joint (icons): [2] [3]

  • Dull aching pain when moving the affected joint or limb
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness

Bursitis often involves the following symptoms near the joint (icons): [4] [5]

  • Aching, stiffness, and limited motion in the affected region
  • Pain when you apply pressure to the area
  • Tenderness
  • Swollen and red appearance

How do I know if I have tendinitis and bursitis?

It is important to get an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible to make sure that the condition does not worsen. The best way to do this is by visiting your doctor and, if possible, getting a referral to a specialized care provider. Providers that specifically treat tendinitis and bursitis include rheumatologists, physical therapists, and orthopedic surgeons.

Some ways that your doctor can assess whether you have tendinitis is through conducting a physical examination and X-rays or other imaging tests. To assess whether you have bursitis, your doctor may review your medical history, and conduct a physical examination or medical tests (such as blood tests and imaging tests).