K.N.O.W. Home Health

BURSITIS

💡 What Is Bursitis?

Bursitis is when a small, fluid-filled sac in your body called a bursa becomes swollen or irritated. These sacs help cushion your bones, joints, and muscles so they can move smoothly.
When a bursa gets swollen, it can be painful, and you may feel stiff or have trouble moving the joint.

🔍 What Causes Bursitis?

Doing the same movement over and over again, like lifting, kneeling, or leaning on your elbows.
Injury or falling on a joint.
Getting older – joints wear out more easily.
Infections (less common).
Other health problems like arthritis or gout.

💊 Treatment

Rest the joint – avoid activities that cause pain.
Ice the area – for 15–20 minutes several times a day.
Take medicine – like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain and swelling.
Use cushions or pads – to protect joints during activities.
Physical therapy – gentle stretches and exercises may help.
In serious cases, a doctor might drain the fluid or give a steroid shot.

🥗 Special Diet or Considerations

No special diet is needed for most people.
If caused by gout, your doctor may suggest a low-purine diet (less red meat, organ meats, and alcohol).
Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy weight to reduce joint stress.

⚠️ Precautions and Special Considerations

Avoid overuse of joints – take breaks and use proper body positions.
Use padding when kneeling or leaning.
Wear proper shoes and protective gear when needed.
Keep the area clean if there's a wound, to avoid infection.
Be careful with lifting heavy items.

❗ Risks of Bursitis

Pain and stiffness that limits movement.
Infections in the bursa (called septic bursitis).
Chronic pain if not treated.
Rarely, the fluid may need to be drained by a doctor.

🛡️ How to Prevent Bursitis

Use good posture.
Take breaks during repetitive activities.
Stretch and warm up before physical work or exercise.
Use joint protection like knee pads.
Avoid sudden, sharp movements.

📞 When to Call Home Health Care or Your Doctor

Call your home health nurse or doctor if:

The pain doesn’t go away after resting.
You have redness, swelling, or warmth over the joint.
You can’t move the joint like normal.
You have a mild fever and joint pain.
You need help managing your medications or activity.

🚨 When to Go to the Emergency Room

Go to the ER if you:

Have severe pain and swelling.
Have a high fever (over 101°F) and shaking chills.
Can’t move the joint at all.
See pus or an open sore near the joint.

🧠 Other Helpful Tips

Don’t ignore early signs of pain or swelling.
Keep your follow-up visits with your doctor or therapist.
If you use a cane or walker, use it correctly to avoid extra stress on joints.

✅ PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

True or False – Bursitis is swelling of a fluid-filled sac in the body called a bursa.
True or False – Bursitis can happen from doing the same motion over and over again.
True or False – Only young athletes get bursitis.
True or False – Resting the joint can help treat bursitis.
True or False – Putting ice on the joint makes bursitis worse.
True or False – Medicines like ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling.
True or False – It’s okay to keep doing painful activities if you have bursitis.
True or False – Using a cushion when kneeling can help prevent bursitis.
True or False – You should wear the wrong shoes to strengthen your joints.
True or False – Bursitis may sometimes need fluid to be drained by a doctor.
True or False – A diet change is always needed for bursitis.
True or False – You should call your nurse if the pain doesn’t go away with rest.
True or False – It’s safe to ignore swelling and redness around a joint.
True or False – Septic bursitis means the bursa is infected.
True or False – Going to the ER is needed if you have a high fever and joint pain.
True or False – Good posture and body mechanics can help prevent bursitis.
True or False – You should keep doing exercises without stretching.
True or False – Physical therapy may help you recover from bursitis.
True or False – Staying at a healthy weight helps protect your joints.
True or False – Using padding and taking breaks can prevent bursitis from coming back.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification: “Can you describe where you feel pain or swelling in your joint, and does it worsen with movement or pressure?”

Activity Impact: “How does your bursitis affect your daily activities, such as walking, reaching, or lifting objects?”

Treatment Adherence: “Are you able to follow the treatment plan, such as resting the joint, applying ice, or taking prescribed medications, and have you noticed any improvement?”

Preventive Measures: “What steps have you taken to avoid activities that trigger your bursitis, and do you know ways to prevent it from flaring up in the future?”