Alberta Health Services
Health Information
Bursitis and tendon injuries are common causes of joint and soft tissue pain. They can affect people of all ages and activity levels, often from overuse, repetitive motion, or injury.
Both bursitis and tendon injuries can make everyday activities difficult, especially lifting, reaching, or walking. Spotting the signs early and management can help reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent chronic problems.
Bursitis happens when a small fluid-filled sac called a bursa becomes inflamed. Bursae act as cushions between bones, tendons, and muscles, helping joints move smoothly. When a bursa becomes irritated, it can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain near the affected joint — usually in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, or heel.
Tendon injuries, such as tendinitis or tendinopathy, are irritation or damage to the tendons — the tough cords that attach muscles to bones. These injuries can start quickly from a strain or slowly over time from doing the same movement again and again. Common places to feel tendon injuries or this type of injury include the shoulder (rotator cuff), elbow (tennis or golfer's elbow), wrist, knee, and Achilles tendon.
Learn simple ways to protect your joints, reduce strain, and prevent pain caused by bursitis or tendon injuries in these areas:
