Skip to main content
New Patient
Appointment
NY Office
(212) 794-5096
Miami Office
(305) 686-5554
woman working out

Shoulder Bursitis Treatment

There are many bursae located throughout the body that provide cushion between bones and soft tissues. These fluid-filled sacs allow bones in the joints to move without rubbing against tendons, ligaments or other tissues. In the shoulders, bursae provide cushion between the rotator cuff tendons and bones in the glenohumeral ball joints. If the bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it is called shoulder bursitis, which can cause pain and shoulder mobility issues. At Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center, we provide shoulder bursitis treatment at our facility in Miami, FL.

The glenohumeral shoulder joint has a unique design – the tendons of the rotator cuff are located between the shoulder blade and humerus bone, instead of on the outside like many joints. While this allows for a large range of motion for the arm, it places the tendons and associated bursae in a small compartment. If there is an injury or other conditions that impact the shoulder, it can cause irritation to the bursa. It can become inflamed, causing restriction within the shoulder joint.

Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis

Shoulder bursitis can be caused by rotator cuff injuries, fractures, shoulder dislocations, infections, bone spurs and other irritation to the bursa, including repetitive shoulder use. When the bursa is swollen, it can press against the bones, tendons and other tissues within the shoulder. The symptoms of bursitis include:

  • Tenderness around the shoulder
  • Pain when reaching upward
  • Pain on the outside of the shoulder
  • Redness or swelling around the shoulder
  • Stiffness and limited range of motion

Bursitis can be painful and restrict your mobility. The good news is that most cases of bursitis can be resolved with non-surgical treatments. Injections, medications and physical therapy may be used to overcome shoulder bursitis. Surgery is only recommended when other treatments are ineffective or if there is an underlying cause like bone spurs or a rotator cuff injury.

If you have symptoms of bursitis in the shoulder, come see us at Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center. We can provide diagnosis and treatment for shoulder bursitis, as well as any underlying conditions. Contact our clinic in Miami, FL, to schedule your appointment.

new york times logo
daily news logo
b/r logo
nba logo
cnn logo
espn logo
fox sports logo
new york post logo
rant sports logo
Schedule a consultation