Bursitis
- Bursitis Overview
- Bursitis Causes
- Bursitis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Bursitis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Bursitis - Describe Your Experience
Bursitis Overview
Bursae (one is a bursa) are fluid-filled sacs that cushion areas of friction between tendon and bone or skin. Like air-filled bubble wrap, these sacs reduce friction between moving parts of the body, such as in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel.
The number varies, but most people have about 160 bursae throughout the body. Bursae are lined with special cells called synovial cells, which secrete a fluid rich in collagen and proteins. This synovial fluid acts as a lubricant when parts of the body move. When this fluid becomes infected by bacteria or irritated because of too much movement, the painful condition known as bursitis results.
Next: Bursitis Causes »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Bursitis - Describe Your Experience
Please describe your experience with bursitis.
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Pain and Injury Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Bursitis
Joint Pain Overview
Joint pain can be caused by injury or disease of the joint or adjacent tissues. A joint is the area at which two bone ends meet to provide motion to a body part. A typical joint is composed of bones that are separated by cartilage that serves as cushioning pad for the adjacent bones. Ligaments attach bone to bone around the joint. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that provide a gliding surface for adjacent tendons. Tendons attach muscle to bone around the joint. Injury or disease to any of the structures of the joint can lead to pain in the joint. Joint pain is also referred to as arthralgia.
Joint Pain Causes
Joint pain can be caused by injury or disease affecting any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the joint. Injury or disease can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, and bones within the joint, leading to a painful joint. Pain is also a feature of joint inflammation (arthritis) and...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Bursitis »
Bursae are saclike structures between skin and bone or between tendons, ligaments, and bone.
Featured Topics
Medical Dictionary
