Bursitis is the inflammation of bursae, small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles near joints. These sacs reduce friction, allowing for smooth, pain-free movement. When inflamed, a bursa causes discomfort and limits motion in the affected area.
Understanding Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis, or subacromial bursitis, affects the bursa beneath the acromion, the bony tip of the shoulder blade. This bursa protects rotator cuff tendons from friction, facilitating the shoulder’s wide range of motion. When irritated or damaged, it inflames, causing pain and swelling.
Common causes include repetitive overhead motions, direct injury, or underlying medical conditions like arthritis, gout, diabetes, or thyroid disease. Symptoms typically include pain around the outside or tip of the shoulder, which may worsen with overhead activities or when lying on the affected side. Individuals often experience stiffness, tenderness to touch, and a reduced range of motion.
Typical Recovery Periods
The healing time for shoulder bursitis varies considerably depending on the condition’s severity and individual factors. Most people experience symptom improvement within a few weeks with appropriate care. Mild cases, often managed with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, may resolve within two to four weeks.
Moderate cases, involving physical therapy or corticosteroid injections, typically extend to six to eight weeks. Chronic or severe instances, particularly those requiring surgical intervention, can necessitate a longer recovery, potentially ranging from three to six months. Healing primarily refers to symptom resolution and function restoration.
Influences on Healing Time
Several factors influence how long shoulder bursitis takes to heal. The severity of inflammation plays a significant role; acute cases often resolve more quickly than chronic conditions. A person’s overall health and age also impact recovery, with younger, healthier individuals typically experiencing faster healing.
Adherence to the prescribed treatment plan, including activity modification and physical therapy, can significantly shorten the recovery period. The presence of other shoulder problems, such as tendonitis or rotator cuff tears, can complicate and prolong the healing process. The specific cause of the bursitis, whether from a single traumatic injury or repetitive overuse, also affects the timeline, with overuse injuries sometimes requiring more sustained rest.
Strategies for Recovery
Recovery from shoulder bursitis often begins with conservative approaches. Rest is a primary recommendation, involving avoiding activities that aggravate the shoulder, such as overhead movements or heavy lifting. Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day can help reduce swelling and pain.
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are frequently used to manage pain and inflammation. Physical therapy is a significant component of recovery, focusing on exercises to improve shoulder strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
If conservative measures are insufficient, a healthcare provider might recommend corticosteroid injections directly into the bursa, which can provide rapid pain relief and reduce inflammation. In rare instances, when bursitis is severe and chronic and does not respond to other treatments after six to twelve months, surgical intervention to remove the inflamed bursa may be considered.