According to the Mayo Clinic, bursitis commonly affects the shoulders and hips but can also lead to pain in the elbows, knees, heels, and the base of the big toes. Harris H. McIlwain, MD, a rheumatologist and gerontologist in Tampa, Florida, says bursitis is most commonly caused by the friction of muscles and tendons repeatedly sliding against bursae. “Bursitis in the shoulder can happen after overdoing activities around the house on the weekend,” says Dr. McIlwain. “This can make it very painful just to lift your arm above your shoulder. An injury can also cause inflammation and pain.” McIlwain recommends a self-care treatment plan, including:
Applying moist heat twice daily to affected areasAvoiding additional repetitive stresses to the injured areaEating anti-inflammatory foodsTaking medication under a physician’s supervision
Use Moist Heat Twice Daily
McIlwain says that for almost all patients with psoriatic arthritis and bursitis, applying moist heat to aching joints can reduce pain and stiffness and make it easier to exercise. Select the type of moist heat that’s most convenient and works best for you:
Heated poolHot tub or jacuzziHot-water bottle covered with a warm, damp clothHydrocollator packsMoist heating padsWarm paraffin and mineral oil mixture for hands or feetWarm bathWarm showerWarm, damp towels
Apply moist heat for 10 to 15 minutes at a time each morning and evening, every day without fail.
What About Ice for Psoriatic Arthritis and Bursitis?
If you prefer cold to heat, McIlwain recommends applying ice packs to joints or muscles twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Never apply ice directly to skin; instead, put it in a plastic bag or use an ice bag from a medical supply store. McIlwain reports that some of his patients do best when they alternate sessions of moist heat with those involving ice.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Steroid Injections Can Help, Too
When moist heat isn’t providing enough relief, discuss the pain with your doctors, who can advise you on other methods. “In our clinic I treat bursitis with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or injections [of steroids],” says Zhanna Mikulik, MD, head of the Multidisciplinary Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. If nothing’s working, it’s possible you don’t have bursitis after all. “Make sure your doctor has ruled out other causes of pain, such as infection, which need different types of treatment,” McIlwain says.
