Targeted Injection Treatment for Painful and Inflamed Bursae
Bursa Injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to help manage pain and inflammation arising from an irritated or inflamed bursa. A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between tissues such as muscles, tendons, bones and skin.
A Bursa Injection is an injection procedure used to treat pain and inflammation associated with an irritated or inflamed bursa.
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located around joints. They act as cushions and help tissues move smoothly by reducing friction between bones, tendons, muscles and skin.
When a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, a condition known as bursitis can develop. It may cause localized pain, tenderness, swelling and discomfort during movement or pressure on the affected area.
Depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan, a bursa injection may contain a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation, sometimes combined with a local anaesthetic for short-term pain relief. The specific medication and dose are selected by the treating specialist.
Your doctor reviews your symptoms, examines the painful area and confirms whether bursitis or another condition is responsible for your symptoms.
The affected bursa is identified clinically and, when appropriate, with ultrasound guidance to improve visualization of the target and surrounding structures.
After cleaning the skin, a fine needle is carefully positioned near or within the targeted bursa and the selected medication is injected.
You receive individualized post-procedure instructions. Activity modification, physiotherapy or other treatment may be recommended depending on the underlying cause.
Medication is delivered directly to the affected bursa rather than treating the entire body.
When corticosteroid is appropriate, it can reduce inflammation within or around the affected bursa.
Reducing inflammation around the bursa may help decrease localized pain and tenderness.
The procedure uses a needle rather than requiring conventional surgical treatment.
Reduced pain may make it easier to participate in appropriate physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Some patients experience meaningful pain relief, although the duration and degree of benefit vary.
Bursa Injection may be considered when symptoms and clinical assessment indicate that an inflamed or irritated bursa is contributing to your pain.
Your doctor may consider the procedure if:
Bursitis can affect different parts of the body. The appropriate treatment depends on the location, cause and severity of the inflammation.
Subacromial or subdeltoid bursitis can cause pain with shoulder movement and activities involving the arm.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome may involve irritation of the trochanteric bursa along with nearby tendons and soft tissues.
Bursitis around the knee, such as prepatellar bursitis, can cause localized swelling, tenderness and discomfort.
Olecranon bursitis affects the bursa located over the back of the elbow and may cause swelling and tenderness.
Your symptoms are assessed to determine whether the pain is actually related to bursitis or another musculoskeletal condition.
The treatment is planned around the specific bursa and underlying cause of your symptoms.
Ultrasound may be used when appropriate to visualize the target and surrounding structures during the procedure.
Treatment and follow-up recommendations are tailored to your diagnosis, symptoms, activity level and recovery needs.
Before your procedure, your pain specialist may:
Your doctor will determine whether a bursa injection is appropriate for your condition.
After the procedure, you may be monitored briefly before going home. Your recovery instructions will depend on the location of the treated bursa and the medication used.
You may be advised to:
Pain relief may occur over the following days, although the response varies between patients. If a local anaesthetic is used, temporary relief may occur sooner, while the anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroid, when used, may take longer to develop.
Like any injection procedure, a Bursa Injection carries potential risks. These may include temporary pain, bruising, bleeding, infection, skin changes or temporary worsening of symptoms.
When corticosteroids are used, additional considerations include temporary elevation of blood glucose, changes in skin pigmentation or thinning of the skin and, with repeated injections, potential effects on nearby tissues.
Corticosteroid injections may not be suitable for everyone. Your doctor will consider your medical history, medications, diabetes status when relevant, infection risk and the condition being treated before recommending the procedure.
Ultrasound guidance can improve visualization of the bursa and nearby structures when used, but it does not eliminate all procedural risks.
Repeated corticosteroid injections should be carefully considered because excessive or frequent injections may have unwanted effects on local tissues.
Seek medical attention promptly if you develop severe or worsening pain, significant swelling, spreading redness, fever, drainage from the injection site or other concerning symptoms.
Persistent pain around the shoulder, hip, knee or
elbow may sometimes be related to an inflamed bursa.
A proper clinical assessment can help determine
whether bursitis is the source of your symptoms and
whether a targeted injection could be appropriate.
Book an Appointment with Vedant Pain Management Clinic