Urgent Care for Bursitis Treatment in Burbank CA

Bursitis refers to the inflammation of a bursa, which can be found throughout the body next to the tendons that are located near large joints including the knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. Bursae are sacs filled with fluid that function as cushions to reduce friction from movement between tissues. Most of the time, bursitis is a temporary condition that just leads to limited mobility but does not develop into a deformity. Some common types of bursitis include trimalleolar tendon bursitis (located where the tendon attaches to the heels), posterior Achilles tendon bursitis (located between the Achilles tendon and the skin of the heel), elbow bursitis (located between the bones and skin of the elbows), knee bursitis (located between the three tendons of the hamstring and shin bone), kneecap bursitis, and hip bursitis.

While every individual may display symptoms of bursitis differently from one another, the most common symptoms include general pain, discomfort, and tenderness in the location of bursitis, limited range of motion in the affected joint, as well as redness and swelling in cases where the bursa is left untreated, and experiencing inflammation closer to the surface of the skin. If left untreated, it is common for patients to experience varying degrees of deterioration of the muscles surrounding the affected joint as the loss of mobility and range of motion leads to limited use of those muscles. These common symptoms associated with bursitis are also common symptoms of general joint pain or indicative of a wide range of many other conditions, all of which left untreated may lead to worsened conditions, so it is always recommended that any pain or discomfort in the joints or anywhere else in the body is assessed early on by a medical professional.

Similarly to most other joint conditions, bursitis is most frequently caused by overuse or injury to the affected joint. Overuse of a joint leading to bursitis includes a minor but repetitive impact done onto the joint, or a sudden but more significant impact that has been made. Some activities that are known for aggravating the bursa and leading to inflammation include carpentry, gardening, golf, painting, shoveling, skiing, and raking. As we age, we become more at risk of developing bursitis as the tendons lose elasticity making them more susceptible to tearing, making it a common condition in those aged 40 and older. Other underlying health conditions can also increase the risk of developing bursitis, including arthritis, diabetes, gout, tendinitis, and thyroid disease. There is also a type of bursitis known as septic or infectious bursitis that is caused by indirect or direct infection and can be acute or chronic.

In most cases of bursitis that are brought for treatment at an urgent care clinic, the healthcare provider will recommend an anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen for temporary pain relief and to reduce any swelling, but many patients may also require stronger prescription medication or injections of corticosteroids if they have increased pain levels. Other recommended treatments will likely include receiving soft tissue massages to reduce inflammation, as well as physical therapy to ensure that strength and mobility are maintained in the surrounding muscles and affected joints. Inflammation such as bursitis can also be treated at home through resting the affected area combined with the application of a cold compress and compression garments. The health care provider at the urgent care clinic will be able to provide any other recommendations that will prove beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation as efficiently and safely as possible at home. If the bursitis is caused by an infection, patients will be prescribed antibiotics or may require further assessment to treat the infection itself which will result in a reduction of inflammation in the bursa.

If you have any questions about Bursitis Treatment, visit Burbank Urgent Care our experienced professionals are happy to answer them. We serve patients from Burbank CA, Glendale CA, Pasadena CA, Beverly Hills CA, San Fernando CA, La Crescenta-Montrose CA, and Kagel Canyon CA.