Bursitis and tendinitis are two of the most common types of orthopedic diagnosis, so it’s important to know the difference between the two. It’s pretty easy to confuse them, as both involve the inflammation of soft tissue around muscles and bones, but each of them involves a different component of our bodies that help to make our muscles move more easily. If you think that you have pain that may be caused by tendonitis or bursitis, call The Pain Relief Center today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
What Is Tendinitis?
Tendons are flexible bands, kind of like thick ropes, of fibrous tissue that connect the muscles to the bones. These are sort of like movement mechanisms—they transmit the pull of the muscle to the bone to cause movement. They’re found throughout the body (wherever bones and muscles meet) and vary in size.
Tendinitis occurs when tendons become inflamed, causing pain and swelling as well. It is most often the result of a repetitive injury or motion in an affected area. Tendons become less flexible with age, so this occurs more often as aging occurs.
What Is Bursitis?
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and other moving parts such as muscles, tendons, or skin. This small cushion allows that these structures can all glide very smoothly to keep our bodies moving properly. Like tendons, they are found throughout the body.
Bursitis occurs when the bursas become inflamed an irritated, causing pain and swelling. It is often caused by overuse or direct trauma to a joint.
So, as we outlined above, tendinitis and bursitis are different in that they affect two different structures. However, the causes and symptoms are very similar. People with occupations in carpentry, landscaping, music, and sports are at a higher risk for both conditions, as they can both be caused by repetitive motions and the ensuing stress on joints. Additionally, infections, arthritis, gout, thyroid disease, and diabetes can cause inflammation in both the tendons or bursas.
Each of these conditions has different types based upon the affected area.
The treatment of each condition is similar as well. The focus of treatment is on healing the inflamed tendon or bursa, starting with rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medications. However, each treatment is case-specific, depending on the affected area and the cause, and should be decided upon by a healthcare professional. The professionals at The Pain Relief Center treat tendonitis and bursitis, so call today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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