Shoulder Bursitis Treatment
Shoulder bursitis occurs when the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that provides a natural shoulder cushion, becomes irritated and inflamed. The bursa helps reduce friction between the shoulder joint, the rotator cuff tendons, and the bones around the highest point of your shoulder. When the sac swells, it causes shoulder pain, stiffness, and sometimes visible pain and swelling.
The most common form is subacromial bursitis, though other types of bursitis can occur, such as traumatic bursitis from an injury, chronic bursitis from repeated irritation, and rare cases of infected bursitis. If untreated, bursitis can lead to chronic pain and make it difficult to continue with normal physical activities.
Symptoms and Causes
The common symptoms of shoulder bursitis include:
Pain on the outside of the shoulder or upper arm
Tenderness with pressure on your shoulder
Pain and swelling that worsen at night
Reduced range of motion and stiffness
Difficulty trying to move your arm overhead
Patients often get bursitis from overusing your shoulder, poor posture that strains the shoulder blade and surrounding shoulder muscles, or repetitive sports injuries. Inflammatory conditions like arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may also cause the bursa to become irritated and inflamed. Everyday activities that cause stress your shoulder, such as overhead lifting, painting, or throwing, are common triggers.
Diagnosis and Treatment
At Dines Orthopedics, our specialists use a careful physical exam and medical history to diagnose bursitis. Imaging, such as ultrasound or MRI, may also be used to confirm an inflamed bursa or rule out other conditions such as rotator cuff tears or arthritis.
For most patients, we recommend non-surgical treatments. A personalized treatment plan may include:
Resting your shoulder and modifying activities that worsen pain
Ice to reduce pain and swelling
A guided program of physical therapy, including:
Gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness
Stretches and exercises to restore flexibility
Strengthening routines to strengthen your shoulder and stabilize the shoulder blade
This approach is designed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and improve the function of the shoulder joint without surgery.
When Surgery is Needed
For the majority of patients, surgery is rarely needed. If symptoms continue despite conservative care, shoulder bursitis surgery may be recommended. This procedure removes thickened or inflamed tissue and relieves pressure in the joint. At Dines Orthopedics, we only suggest surgery for shoulder bursitis after all other non-surgical treatments have been explored.
Recovery and Prevention
Most patients improve within a few weeks of beginning treatment, though chronic bursitis may take longer. A successful recovery focuses on regaining mobility, strength, and comfort.
To prevent flare-ups in the future:
Keep shoulder muscles strong with regular strengthening
Maintain flexibility with range-of-motion exercises
Avoid repetitive physical activities that stress your shoulder
Get early care for sports injuries or recurring shoulder pain