Bursitis simply means inflammation of a bursa. It is often, although not always, associated with pain. A bursa is a small sac filled with a small amount of fluid that is found between certain muscles, muscles and tendons, tendons and bone, etc.. Its function is to act as a medium to prevent friction between tissues. It helps muscles, tendons, etc. to slide over each other.

Either of these conditions cause pain on motion of the inflamed area. The pain can also be present at rest.

These conditions may be caused by "wear and tear", or may occur seemingly spontaneously. Calcium deposits are not infrequently seen on X-ray in areas of chronic bursitis or tendinitis.

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates an area where joint-related tissues—including bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, or skin—rub against one another. Bursae (plural of bursa) are located throughout the body, in and on joints and other places that are at risk of rubbing or pressure. Bursitis can occur anywhere in the body where there is a bursa when inflammation causes the bursa to swell with fluid. The condition is often painful.

Impingement occurs when the arm is elevated and the top of the arm (humerus) pinches underneath the acromion, the bone on the top of the shoulder. The bursa structure is a cushion between these two boney structures and as this gets pinched, it can become swollen and inflamed – that’s why it’s called bursitis. Often repetitive overhead motions, such as swimming, or lifting can bring on bursitis.

Your joint-area symptoms probably can be diagnosed with a review of your medical history and recent activities and a physical exam. If bursitis persists or worsens despite treatment, your health professional may draw fluid from the bursa through a needle (aspiration) and test it for infection or inflammation.

Teninitis is inflammation of a tendon, a band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is most commonly the result of overuse during physical activities. Repetitive motions can stretch and irritate the tendon, causing pain and swelling. Tendinitis occurs around joints such as the elbow, shoulder, wrist, ankle, or knee.

Bursitis is caused by overuse and repeated movements, a sudden injury (often mild), long periods of pressure on an area, or aging and gradual degeneration of the bursa. Bursitis can also be caused by systemic conditions such as arthritis, infection (septic bursitis), or trauma (traumatic bursitis).

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Impingement or shoulder bursitis that does not improve after an extended period of non-operative treatment (including rotator cuff strengthening exercises and anti-inflammatory medication) may require arthroscopic surgery. This involves making small (buttonhole sized) skin incisions about the shoulder in which a specialized small camera and shaver are inserted.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursal tissue about the knee. There are several different bursas about the knee that can become inflamed from either trauma or repetitive activities. Generally these can heal on their own. Initial icing followed by heat can help. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help decrease the pain. Steroid injections can be given to help decrease the inflammation.

When tendinitis strikes, take a rest or break from the activity that caused it. This is often enough to clear up the condition. Do some other type of activity. If the tendinitis results from a muscle imbalance, you'll need to exercise and strengthen the weaker muscle to correct the imbalance. To prevent the pain from recurring, apply heat before and ice after the activity. Use aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms.

De Quervain's Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons that extend the thumb. These tendons are found on the radial or thumb side of the wrist. Irritation of these tendons can cause them to swell. When they swell, they no longer fit through their tendon sheaths. The rubbing of these tendons on their tendon sheaths causes increased inflammation and pain.

Rest and relaxation are the best treatments. If you can make slow gentle movements without causing pain, do those to help prevent the wrist from becoming stiff. During the episode, relaxation, meditation and visualization may help ease the pain. It is important to breathe diaphragmatically, i.e. belly breathing, to trigger the relaxation response. Set aside some time to practice. During the session, use the breath to help soothe inflamed area.