A swollen, warm, painful spot near a joint? That is the classic picture of bursitis — inflammation of one of the small fluid “cushions” that protect your joints. Common, often confused with arthritis or tendinitis, and treatable without surgery in the vast majority of cases.
What is bursitis?
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between tendons, muscles, skin and bone — the body has over 150. When a bursa is irritated by repeated pressure, overload or a direct blow, it inflames and fills with fluid. Frequent sites: shoulder (subacromial), elbow (olecranon), hip (trochanteric), knee (prepatellar) and heel (retrocalcaneal).
Common symptoms
Local pain worse with movement or pressure, visible swelling (especially at the elbow and knee), local warmth, stiffness and night pain when lying on the affected side.
Common causes
Repetitive movements (painting, gardening, overhead sport), prolonged pressure (kneeling, leaning on elbows), direct impacts, muscle imbalances that increase friction — and, rarely, inflammatory conditions or infection: a red, hot bursa with fever needs urgent medical review.
Can it be treated without surgery?
Yes, almost always. The key is twofold: settling the inflammation AND correcting the mechanical cause that irritated the bursa — otherwise it comes back. Aspiration or surgery are exceptions for refractory or infected cases.
How we treat bursitis at Medicine Park
We identify the affected bursa and differentiate it from tendinitis or joint problems, then treat the cause: manual therapy for the structures compressing the bursa, correcting mechanics and muscle imbalances, activity dosing and, where needed, dry needling for associated tension. In English, in central Bucharest.
How long does recovery take?
Recent bursitis settles in 2–4 weeks; chronic cases sustained for months need 6–8 weeks of a complete programme.
When to seek help
If swelling and pain persist beyond two weeks or keep returning, book an assessment. Your first assessment at Medicine Park is free.
