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Shoulder pain is an incredibly common condition. In fact, according to research at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, half of the entire population in America experiences some shoulder pain or disorder annually. While the diagnoses and causes are widely varied, bursitis is among the most common of all the shoulder conditions.

At Next Step Orthopedics, our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Dominique Nickson, treats a wide variety of sports medicine conditions, including shoulder bursitis. In this blog, he answers some frequently asked questions about the condition and how he helps resolve the problem.

What is shoulder bursitis?

Also called impingement syndrome, shoulder bursitis is a very painful condition that’s characterized by inflammation, swelling, and decreased range of motion. Between your bones and tendons are liquid, sac-like structures called bursa that help bear the brunt of movement. If there is too much friction between the two, then your bursa get swollen and inflamed, causing them to pinch between the bones.

What are the symptoms of shoulder bursitis?

In addition to pain, inflammation, and swelling, you may also experience:

  • Tenderness
  • Immobilization of your shoulder
  • Stiffness
  • Warmth at the site
  • Achiness

In some cases, your shoulder pain may be accompanied by fever and lethargy.

What causes shoulder bursitis?

Some of the common reasons you develop shoulder bursitis are:

  • Accident or injury
  • Overuse
  • Infection

Bursitis is often linked to other health conditions that affect your bursa. Some of them are diabetes, gout, arthritis, and uremia.

How can I prevent shoulder bursitis?

To minimize the chances of developing shoulder bursitis, consider these actions:

  • Minimizing repetitive activities
  • Don’t push through the pain
  • Improve your posture
  • Warm-up before sports or exercising

If any of your daily actions or extracurricular activities cause pain, stop at once to prevent further damage.

How is shoulder bursitis treated?

Dr. Nickson meets with you to conduct a comprehensive physical exam and ask questions about your medical and family history. Once he determines the root cause of the problem, he customizes a solution for you, which includes some or all of the following:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Ice therapy
  • Movement modifications
  • Physical therapy
  • Cortisone injections

Depending on the severity of your shoulder bursitis, Dr. Nickson may recommend a surgical procedure to relieve your pain and correct the problem permanently. You don’t have to live with shoulder pain. Reach out to our team in McKinney, Texas, to schedule an appointment. You can also call us at (972) 547-0047 or book an appointment online.

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