musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Bursitis
Symptoms and Signs of Bursitis
Acute bursitiscauses pain, particularly when the bursa is compressed or stretched during motion, and often limits range of motion. Passive range of motion may still be normal (eg, some patients with olecranon bursitis have normal flexion-extension of the elbow). Swelling, sometimes with other signs of inflammation (eg, erythema), is common if the bursa is superficial (eg, prepatellar, olecranon). Swelling may be more prominent than pain in olecranon bursitis. Crystal- or bacterial-induced bursitis is usually accompanied by erythema, pitting edema, pain, and warmth in the area around the bursa. Chronic bursitismay last for several months and may recur frequently. Bouts may last a few days to several weeks. If inflammation persists near a joint, the joint’s range of motion may be limited. Prolonged limitation of motion may lead to muscle atrophy. 