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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Illustration showing knee bursae Knee bursae
Illustration showing bursitis of the shoulder Bursitis of the shoulder
Illustration showing bursitis of the hip Bursitis of the hip
Illustration showing bursitis of the elbow Bursitis of the elbow

The most common causes of bursitis are repetitive motions or positions that irritate the bursae around a joint. Examples include:

  • Throwing a baseball or lifting something over your head repeatedly
  • Leaning on your elbows for long periods of time
  • Extensive kneeling, for tasks such as laying carpet or scrubbing floors
  • Prolonged sitting, particularly on hard surfaces

Some bursae at the knee and elbow lie just below the skin, so they are at higher risk of puncture injuries that can lead to infection of the bursae (septic bursitis).

Risk factors Symptoms

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • Knee bursitis

    • Related Links
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References
  1. Sheon RP. Bursitis: An overview of clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2011.
  2. Schmidt MJ, et al. Tendinopathy and bursitis. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00204-8&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniqId=270872816-2. Accessed Aug. 4, 2011.
  3. Colburn KK. Bursitis, tendinitis, myofascial pain, and fibromyalgia. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00022-3&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&uniqId=270872816-3. Accessed Aug. 4, 2011.
  4. Questions and answers about bursitis and tendonitis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bursitis/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 4, 2011.
  5. Clark BM. Tendonitis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/tendonitis.pdf. Accessed Aug. 4, 2011.
DS00032 Sept. 24, 2011

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