Symptoms of bursitis

Bursitis causes pain,inflammation and tenderness in the affected area of the body.

The severity of bursitis depends on howinflamed the bursa is.It can cause swelling and stiffness and the affected area may also be warm and red.

The pain of bursitis usually feels like a dullache made worse by movement or pressure. Supporting your bodyweightmay be painful. For example, if you have bursitis in your hip, youmay find it difficultto lie on the affected side.

Septic bursitis

Septic bursitis is bursitis caused by infection.This can causeadditional symptoms, such as:

  • a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
  • feeling shivery
  • an infection of the deeper layers of the skin ( Erysipelas )
  • broken skinover the affected area

When to seek medical advice

See your GP if you have symptoms of bursitis and a fever as it's likelyyou have an infection.

Otherwise,see your GP if your symptoms don't improve after two weeks.


Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 22 Aug 2016