Tendons connect muscles to bones and bursae act as cushions to reduce friction in your joints. When either of these soft tissues become inflamed, you may feel sharp, stabbing pain. If you think you’re suffering from pain caused by bursitis or tendonitis, get a head start on finding pain relief by starting your diagnosis below.
Joint pain and stiffness can significantly impact your daily activities, whether you’re dealing with shoulder discomfort that makes reaching overhead difficult, elbow pain that interferes with work tasks, or knee inflammation that limits your mobility. Bursitis and tendonitis are two common conditions that affect the soft tissues surrounding your joints, causing pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion that can persist for weeks or months without proper treatment. These inflammatory conditions often develop gradually through repetitive activities or sudden overuse, making them particularly common among active individuals and those whose work involves repetitive motions.
At Oasis Medical Group, we understand how bursitis and tendonitis can disrupt your life and prevent you from participating in the activities you enjoy most. Our medical team provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for these common inflammatory conditions, helping patients find relief from pain and regain full function of their affected joints. We combine proven treatment methods with personalized care plans designed to address both your immediate symptoms and the underlying factors that may have contributed to your condition.
Bursitis occurs when the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae become inflamed and irritated, causing pain and swelling around your joints. These bursae normally act as cushions between bones, tendons, and muscles, reducing friction during movement and allowing smooth joint function. When bursae become inflamed due to overuse, trauma, or underlying conditions, they can swell and cause significant discomfort that worsens with movement or pressure on the affected area.
Tendonitis involves inflammation of the tendons, which are the thick, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones and enable joint movement. When tendons become inflamed or irritated, they may thicken, develop small tears, or become painful during use. Both conditions can affect any joint in your body, but they most commonly occur in shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. While bursitis and tendonitis are separate conditions, they often occur together due to their close anatomical relationship and similar causes, requiring comprehensive treatment that addresses both inflammatory processes.
Repetitive activities and overuse represent the most frequent causes of both bursitis and tendonitis, particularly in people whose work or recreational activities involve repeated motions of specific joints. Activities like painting, gardening, playing tennis, throwing sports, or prolonged computer use can gradually stress the soft tissues around joints, leading to inflammation and pain. Sudden increases in activity level, such as starting a new exercise program or taking on physically demanding projects, can also trigger these conditions when tissues aren’t adequately prepared for increased demands.
Age-related changes in tendon and bursa structure make older adults more susceptible to developing these inflammatory conditions, as tissues become less flexible and more prone to injury over time. Underlying conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid disorders can increase your risk of developing tendonitis and bursitis by affecting tissue health and healing capacity. Poor posture, muscle imbalances, and previous injuries to the affected area can also contribute to increased stress on tendons and bursae, making inflammation more likely to develop during normal activities.
The symptoms of bursitis and tendonitis can vary depending on the location and severity of the inflammation, but both conditions typically cause localized pain that worsens with movement or pressure. Bursitis often produces a deep, aching pain that may be accompanied by visible swelling and warmth around the affected joint. The pain is usually most severe when moving the joint or lying on the affected side, and you may notice stiffness that improves with gentle movement but returns after periods of rest.
Tendonitis typically causes pain along the tendon itself, which may feel like a burning or aching sensation that worsens during activity and improves with rest. You might experience morning stiffness that gradually improves as you move throughout the day, or pain that develops several hours after activity. Our medical team uses comprehensive evaluation techniques including physical examination, medical history review, and sometimes imaging studies to accurately diagnose these conditions and rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. Our pain assessment tools help us understand the impact of your symptoms on daily activities and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Treatment for bursitis and tendonitis typically begins with conservative approaches designed to reduce inflammation and allow healing while maintaining joint mobility. Rest and activity modification play crucial roles in early treatment, helping to reduce stress on inflamed tissues while preventing further irritation. Anti-inflammatory medications, ice therapy, and gentle stretching exercises may help control symptoms during the acute phase of these conditions. Physical therapy often becomes an important component of treatment, helping to restore normal movement patterns and strengthen surrounding muscles to prevent recurrence.
For persistent cases that don’t respond adequately to conservative treatment, our medical team may recommend additional interventions such as corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation directly at the source of pain. These targeted treatments can provide significant relief while allowing you to participate more effectively in rehabilitation activities. Recovery time varies depending on the severity of your condition and how quickly you begin appropriate treatment, but most patients experience significant improvement within several weeks to months with proper care. Some individuals may benefit from ergonomic modifications to work or activity environments to prevent future episodes of inflammation.
When joint pain and inflammation are interfering with your daily activities and quality of life, our team at Oasis Medical Group provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for bursitis and tendonitis at our convenient New Jersey locations. We bring years of experience in treating inflammatory joint conditions to every aspect of your care, ensuring you receive effective treatment tailored to your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs. Our approach focuses on not only relieving your current pain but also addressing the underlying factors that may have contributed to your condition to help prevent future episodes.
Our experienced medical team understands that bursitis and tendonitis can significantly impact your ability to work, exercise, and participate in activities you enjoy, which is why we’re committed to providing prompt, effective treatment that gets you back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. We work with you to develop treatment plans that fit your schedule and goals while providing the education and support you need to maintain joint health long-term. Don’t let bursitis or tendonitis continue to limit your activities and cause ongoing discomfort. Call us at (844) 366-8800 or request an appointment online to schedule your evaluation and begin your path toward pain-free movement.
