Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms of Bursitis?

• Pain, inflammation, and swelling in the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees or joints of the hands or feet, particularly during stretching or extension when exercising, lifting or otherwise pushing the joint beyond its normal limits.
• Restricted range of motion in a joint, with or without immediate pain.
• Muscle weakness.
• Loss of motion, especially affecting the shoulder.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Pain in a joint persists more than a few days; you may be experiencing tendinitis, a strained ligament or tendon, or the onset of arthritis.
• You are unable to move the affected area, which may progress to a frozen joint.
• Swelling persists after taking a painkiller or anti-inflammatory agent as prescribed. You may need to have a doctor drain fluid from the affected joint, or you may need steroid injections into the joint to decrease inflammation.
• You have a fever with your bursitis symptoms - it may have become infected.