Arthritis increases your risk for bursitis and tendinitis

Bursitis and Tendinitis are two very common musculoskeletal conditions that cause swelling around the bones and muscles. Bursitis is usually caused by overuse of a joint or direct trauma to a joint. Often, it occurs at the knee or elbow and can be a result of kneeling or leaning for long periods on hard surfaces. Tendinitis is most associated with repetitive movement or injury to the affected areas. Both these conditions are common as we age when tendons become less flexible and more prone to injury. Infections, diabetes and arthritis can also bring about inflammation that causes bursitis and tendinitis.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a condition that affects the bursae. The bursae are the pads that act as cushions between the tendons, muscles and bones. The most affected joints are those that perform the most frequent movement, such as elbows and shoulders. Bursitis can also affect other parts of the body, including the feet.

Bursitis symptoms include swelling and warmth in the affected joints and pain when the affected joint is touched or moved. Symptoms and pain associated with bursitis can be treated with lifestyle modifications and simple treatment methods, such as resting and using hot and cold packs for pain relief and swelling reduction. However, if symptoms don’t resolve themselves in a few days, talk to your doctor about more aggressive methods of treatment.

Tendinitis

Webster’s Medical Dictionary defines tendinitis as the “inflammation of a tendon.” The condition affects the tendons that connect the muscles to bones. It can occur throughout the body, most commonly in the knee, elbow or shoulder. Often people associate tendinitis as a sports injury. However, simple repetitive activities, such as gardening and painting, are risk factors to irritating tendons as well.

Common symptoms of tendinitis include: pain when moving the affected joint, swelling in the joint and tenderness. There are different forms of tendinitis, ranging from mild to severe, but tendinitis is easily treatable and requires some temporary lifestyle adjustments.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of bursitis or tendinitis starts with a medical history and physical exam. Manual tests, called selective tissue tension tests, help physicians to determine which tendons are involved and where inflammation lies. X-rays are utilized to rule out other bone problems and arthritis. Moreover, if tendons are torn, these tears can be seen on X-rays. MRIs are helpful in diagnosis because they can confirm tears and also detect inflamed bone, muscles, tendons and bursae. Doctors may also remove and test fluid from the inflamed areas to rule out infection.
Treatment for bursitis and tendinitis is relatively the same. Lifestyle changes and non-medicinal remedies are generally the first options for treatment. These include icing the affected area, resting the area and not putting pressure on the injured area. If these non-medicinal approaches do not help, medication and therapy are the next course of action for reduction of pain and elimination of swelling. Antibiotics can alleviate swelling in joints and pain relievers can help with pain and discomfort. Corticosteroids are also used to reduce symptoms of bursitis and tendinitis. Physical therapy can help patients to regain muscle strength and increase range of motion in the affected areas.

Arthritis patients are at a higher risk

Bursitis and tendinitis are conditions are seen with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, and osteoarthritis. Stress or inflammation from these conditions can increase a person’s risk. Moreover, infection can lead to the development of one or both of these painful conditions. Research, from as early as 1968, has shown tendon involvement associated with RA. While research does establish tendon involvement with inflammation producing conditions, including arthritis, the research is limited. Nonetheless, arthritis patients are at a higher risk for developing bursitis and tendinitis.

Can bursitis and tendinitis be prevented?

If you want to decrease your risk for bursitis and tendinitis, the first step is changing the way you perform tasks. It is also helpful to do specific exercises that strengthen tendons and bursa, including range of motion activities. Use kneepads when kneeling for long periods, stretch before exercising and lift properly to reduce stress on joints.

Research Being Conducted

Researchers are studying the role of the immune system as it relates to bursitis and tendinitis. The goal is develop better methods for treating and preventing these painful conditions. Additionally, researchers are working on developing engineered musculoskeletal tissues to replace damaged tendons. Additional research is being conducted on the development of these conditions and the relationship with musculoskeletal disorders.

For more on arthritis related risks:

Know Your Gout Risk Factors
How Arthritis Affects the Eyes
How to Handle Depression and Arthritis