{"id":4621,"date":"2019-03-13T04:15:21","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T04:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=4621"},"modified":"2021-03-29T15:05:32","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T15:05:32","slug":"14-symptoms-of-bursitis-in-shoulder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-symptoms-of-bursitis-in-shoulder\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Bursitis in Shoulder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The bursa is a sac that is tiny and filled with fluid. It works as a gliding surface in order to reduce the friction between the major tissues of the body. The body has 160 bursae in it. The major bursa in the body is located in the tendons located by the large joints such as the elbows, knees, hips, and shoulders. When the bursa becomes inflamed it is called bursitis. Inflammation or an injury to the bursa in the shoulder joint causes shoulder bursitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Injuries or infections can cause bursitis in the shoulder. It may also be caused by a rheumatic condition. A strain or injury to the shoulder joint can cause a person to experience shoulder bursitis. Activities such as lifting objects overhead, throwing a ball, and trauma to the shoulder from a fall or a blow to the area. Here are 8 symptoms of bursitis in the shoulder to consider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Gradual and Persistent Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Typically, shoulder bursitis will start with a simple pain in the area of the shoulder. This pain may come and go. It can be quite intense at times and gradually get worse over time. This pain may be persistent for weeks or even for months. As bursitis <\/a>gets worse, the pain will become more persistent. At times it may become difficult to move the arm in certain positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the bursa becomes more inflamed the pain will become more severe. If proper care is not taken it can lead to the bursa bursting, which can cause even more pain. If you are experiencing shoulder pain that started out as a simple pain and has gradually become worse and worse, it is a good idea to discuss it with your doctor in order to determine the underlying cause of the pain so that proper treatment can be started as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Pain in Outer Shoulder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to shoulder bursitis, one of the most common areas to experience pain is in or around the outside or near the tip of the shoulder. This is the area where some of the largest bursae are located, which is why it is common to experience pain <\/a>in this area if you are suffering from bursitis. When the bursa becomes inflamed it can cause a person to feel soreness or stiffness in the shoulder area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This soreness can also become quite painful. Often times a person who is suffering from bursitis will experience the most pain when they move their arm or shoulder in a specific way. If you are experiencing pain with certain movements it is best to stop doing those particular movements and to rest the shoulder as much as possible. Wearing a sling in order to keep the shoulder from moving is a good idea as this will allow it the time it needs to heal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Painful To Touch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom of shoulder bursitis is an area on the shoulder or the back that is painful to the touch. The area can be anywhere along the shoulder blade or it could even be in the lower part of the back. If you have an area on your neck, shoulders or on your back that is painful to the touch, there is a good chance that you are suffering from an inflamed bursa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the bursa becomes inflamed <\/a>it can become very painful. It may even feel hot to the touch. If you have an area that simply hurts to touch, it is a good idea to try to rest your shoulders as much as possible. You may want to try to ice the area if you can stand to have a cold pack near it. If this pain is persistent, make sure that you go to your doctor to have it evaluated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Reduced Range of Motion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person who is suffering from bursitis in the shoulder will often experience a reduced range of motion in their shoulders and arms. The inflammation that is caused by bursitis can make it difficult to move the shoulder and the arm in any direction. It may be especially difficult to lift the arms above the head. At times, simply moving the head in any direction can become quite painful as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are struggling to move your arms and shoulders in certain directions, it is important to make sure that you rest the arm as much as possible. Resting the arm will give it time to heal. It is also important to rest the shoulder and arm so that you do not risk damaging the joints, tendons<\/a>, and muscles even more. Physical therapy is one of the best options when it comes to regaining range of motion in your shoulder caused by bursitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that may cause your shoulder or arm to become swollen. An infection or an injury are two common reasons for swelling to occur. If you are experiencing swelling in your shoulder it is likely caused by bursitis. It is important to make sure that you ice the area for at least 15 minutes every couple of hours in order to reduce the swelling. Icing the sore area of the shoulder will not only reduce the swelling, but it will also help to alleviate some of the pain that you are likely experiencing because of the swelling<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help to reduce some of the swellings that are associated with bursitis in the shoulder. If the swelling continues it is important to make sure that you seek medical attention in order to find out the underlying cause and to receive proper treatment for your injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Pain Through the Arm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While bursitis in the shoulder may only cause a person to experience pain in the shoulder or the back and neck area, it can also cause a person to experience pain that runs clear down the arm and through the fingers. This pain may cause the arm and the fingers to feel numb. This pain will likely occur during certain movements. The best thing to do when this occurs is to make sure that you keep your shoulder still. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest is one of the best treatments <\/a>for shoulder bursitis. A doctor may tell you to wear a sling for a set amount of time in order to keep the arm in place and allow the shoulder to heal. Rest, ice and possibly physical therapy are some of the common treatments for bursitis in the shoulder. It is important to discuss different treatment options with your doctor if you are experiencing this type of pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Pain During the Night<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common area for shoulder bursitis to occur is in the subacromial bursa. This is located around the tip of the shoulder. The subacromial bursa helps with movement in the arm when it is lifted above the head. A person who is suffering from bursitis may have difficulty sleeping. The reason for this is because the pain can become worse at night. This may be caused by different movements during sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who tend to sleep with their arms above their heads may experience pain when trying to sleep in this position. When a person lies on the shoulder that is affected by bursitis, the pain may worsen. This can be difficult at sleep and rest are important for the healing of bursitis. Sleeping <\/a>while wearing a sling can help alleviate some of the pain as it immobilizes the arm and allows it to rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Nausea and Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the bursa may become infected. In these cases, a person may experience nausea <\/a>or vomiting and will likely run a fever. When the bursa becomes infected it is known as septic bursitis. Anyone who is experiencing shoulder pain and any of the other symptoms on this list and also runs a fever and is simply not feeling well should seek medical attention right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fever is a sign of an infection and a medical professional should investigate the cause in order to make sure that proper treatment is provided. Bursitis will need to be treated with rest, ice, and possibly physical therapy. In addition, the infection that is causing the fever and other symptoms will need to be treated as well, possibly with a round of antibiotics. It is important to get the proper care needed to treat this issue in order to heal properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Discoloration
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Another symptom of bursitis that is caused by infection is discoloration. This occurs due to the bacteria damaging the tissue and thereby causing it to become a difficult color. Blood flow to the region is also altered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normally, you would expect swelling to appear red in color. However, if this is caused by an infection, then it may appear dark blue, yellow, or even black. If you notice this, then it\u2019s important to recognize that an infection <\/a>can actually spread from one area to another. Therefore, it is very important that you get the problem treated early, to avoid it progressing further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have an infection, it is also very important to continue treating the symptoms. That means that you should treat the fever, the swelling, and the pain. Keep drinking water to ensure that the fever does not lead to dehydration, and try applying ice to help with the swelling. Painkillers can ease the discomfort, while Aspirin or Ibuprofen, in particular, will help to thin the blood.
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10. Kyphosis
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Kyphosis <\/a>is a hunched appearance in the upper (cervical) spine. This occurs due to uneven pressure at the shoulder joint \u2013 which is actually multiple joints (such as the acromioclavicular joint and glenohumeral joint). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of bursitis, this might alter the alignment of your shoulder, such that you experience more pressure on the front of the joint, pulling your posture forward slightly and making you physically shorter. Kyphosis is a common issue that many of us face due to the effect of sitting at a computer. When doing this, our arms are usually stretched forward to reach the keys, while our heads will be craned upward at the screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is that the pectorals can become shorter and tighter, while the rotator cuff muscles can become stretched and weak. This can also be one of the things that lead to bursitis in the first place: because the body is pulling the shoulders into a poor posture, and this increases the likelihood of damage to the region inside.
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11. Deferred Pain
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Deferred pain means pain <\/a>that is felt somewhere other than the affected area. This can occur due to nerve pain or nerve damage (more on this in a moment), but it can also be a result of compensatory movement patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you have lost mobility in your shoulder owing to bursitis, then this might cause you to lean forward more while working at a desk, and to lookup more as a result when trying to see your monitor. The result might be that you cause more neck pain, and this can also lead to headaches and other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to muscle pain, joint pain, and more, it is uncommon that only a single area will be affected.
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12. Increase Risk of Injury
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With this change in your muscle balance and your mobility, comes an increased risk of injury<\/a>. That is to say that because you have pain in one area, you might try to compensate for that pain, and end up making matters worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can happen for instance if you are at the gym and attempt to continue to shoulder press. If you do this with bursitis, you might be forced to press the weight at a difficult angle, and you may, therefore, be more likely to drop it or to cause a muscle tear. This could easily lead to damage to your rotator cuff muscles for example. Likewise, bursitis might also negatively impact on grip strength if it interferes with signals sent from the brain. That, in turn, could make you more likely to drop weight, or something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is another reason that it is so important to get ample rest and recovery. Not only will this ensure that you are able to recover from bursitis itself, but it will also prevent further accidents.
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13. Nerve Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of important nerves <\/a>run from the brain to the arms and hands, many of which pass through the shoulder joints on the way. Swelling in the area then can actually place pressure on the nerve, and thereby cause nerve pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nerve pain can be very sharp and difficult to ignore. It can also lead to other symptoms, such as tingling sensations, numbness, coldness and more. This is because the nerves are responsible for both sending and receiving signals between the limbs and the brain. Deferred pain is also common when experiencing nerve damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it is useful to consider nerve factors. While these aren\u2019t symptoms in themselves, they can provide context for symptoms and make it easier for us to ascertain whether those symptoms are likely to have been caused by bursitis or something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being physically active makes you more likely to experience bursitis as you place more impact and pressure <\/a>on the area. Likewise, age also makes this more likely, as does a lack of exercise. Particularly common is to go a long time without exercise, only to then engage in too much, too soon.
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