Bursitis - housemaid's knee
Your GP will usually be able to diagnose bursitis by examining the affected body part and asking about your symptoms.
You may be asked whether you have recently fallen on the joint, or whether you have a job or hobby that involves repetitively using the affected area of your body.
If you have a fever a temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above you may have a small sample of fluid taken from the affected bursa.
The fluid is removed using a needle during a procedure known as aspiration. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be tested for bacteria, which indicates a bacterial infection ( septic bursitis ). The sample may also be checked for crystals, which can develop because of conditions such as Gout .
Following aspiration, a dressing is placed over the area and you will need to avoid strenuous activity for a couple of days.
Further tests are usually only required if your symptoms do not respond to treatment. If this is the case, it will be necessary to rule out other conditions that may be responsible for your symptoms.
Further tests may include:
Bursitis is where a bursa becomes swollen and inflamed. A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that forms under the skin, usually over the joints and between tendons and bones.
Bursitis causes pain, inflammation and tenderness in the affected body part.
Bursitis can be caused by an injury, an infection, or it can be the result of a pre-existing health condition that causes the bursa to become inflamed.
Your GP will usually be able to make a confident diagnosis of bursitis by carrying out a physical examination of the affected body part.
Most cases of bursitis can be successfully treated using a combination of self-care techniques and over-the-counter painkillers.
There are a number of commonsense precautions you can take to prevent getting bursitis.