Contact Us

Book Now

Careers

arthritis or bursitis

Shouldering the Blame for Shoulder Pain: Arthritis or Bursitis?

Hamlet reached up to put Yorick’s skull back and felt a nasty pain in his shoulder. He gazed into the distance. “Arthritis or Bursitis, that is the question!” he mused.

It is a question many people wonder about every day when faced with shoulder pain, although they probably don’t invoke Shakespearean quotes at the time. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the two, although they are completely different conditions.

This article will describe:

  • What is going on in your shoulder in the case of arthritis and bursitis
  • How the symptoms of arthritis and bursitis are similar and how they are different
  • What to do if you suspect either condition

Bursitis:

The medical suffix “itis” literally means “inflamed,” so bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae.

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between bones, joints, and muscles throughout the body. Bursitis of the shoulder happens when the tendons and bursae become inflamed. The tendons should be able to slide between the bone at the top of the arm and the shoulder bone, but instead, the inflammation causes swelling and impingement, and pain and loss of movement result. This is why another name for bursitis is Impingement Syndrome.

If you have bursitis, your shoulder may ache, hurt when you attempt to move it or put pressure on it, or even appear swollen and red. You may find it difficult to reach your arm above your head. Bursitis can be caused by overuse, so it is a common condition among athletes who practice repetitive movements, such as throwing, pitching, or swimming, but it can also affect anyone who puts pressure on their shoulder joint with repetitive motions.

Arthritis:

You already know that “itis” means inflammation; “arthron” is the Greek word for joint, so it is easy to see that arthritis literally means inflammation of the joint. Since the word was coined, however, its definition has been enlarged to include inflammation of muscles, tendons, and ligaments as well.

There are two main types of arthritis that may affect your shoulder — glenohumeral arthritis and acromioclavicular arthritis. Both types are caused by damage to the cartilage inside the shoulder joint, although they occur between two different bone sockets.

Osteoarthritis:

This occurs as a result of wear and tear on the cartilage, so it is particularly prevalent in older people, particularly women after the age of 40 and men after the age of 50. Like bursitis, it can be caused by a lifetime of repetitive movement, but genetics can also play a role.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

This is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks membranes, which then can damage nearby cartilage and bone. It often occurs in both shoulders (it is symmetrical) and is sometimes tested for by searching for particular antibodies in the blood. If this is suspected, you will likely be referred to a rheumatologist.

Post Traumatic Arthritis:

This is a type of osteoarthritis that is caused by injury to the cartilage. This can occur after fractures, dislocations, or any other type of injury. It can be exacerbated by excess body weight, but basically stems from changing the mechanics of the shoulder joint so that it wears out more quickly.

Similarities and Differences Between Bursitis and Arthritis

Both problems have:

  • Pain and aching in the joint
  • Stiffness and swelling
  • Pain triggered by movement
  • Loss of range of motion

Bursitis

  • Pain, tenderness, and redness are specifically on the top and outside of the shoulder.
  • Pain may be triggered by pressure, such as lying on your side.
  • Pain may come and go.
  • Pain becomes more acute with repetitive motion.
  • Bursitis can usually be cured with treatment.

Arthritis:

  • Pain can build gradually — over a period of months or years.
  • Pain can be worse after inactivity (such as when you get up in the morning).
  • Pain can lessen the more you use your shoulder (as you loosen up in the day).
  • The condition can be managed, but not cured.

True Sports Is Here to Help

The expert physical therapists at True Sports specialize in helping athletes with shoulder pain or injury. When you begin to experience shoulder pain and immobility, it’s time to throw in the towel (with your good arm, of course) and seek medical treatment. Recovering from most sports-related shoulder injuries shouldn’t take long, but ignoring your pain and injury can cause irreparable damage that keeps you out of sports permanently.

Make an appointment at one of our seven convenient locations in the Greater Baltimore area: (410) 514-3297

When Can You Return to Sports After an ACL Injury?

Read more

Shoulder Injuries are Common in Golfers

Read more

3 Common Upper Body Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes and How to Avoid Them

Read more

Knee Weakness: Get Relief + Build Strength with These 3 Home Exercises

Read more

What Can Athletes Do About Quad Shut Down?

Read more

Does Strength Prevent Injury?

Read more

True Sports Coronavirus Response

Read more

Lacrosse Injuries – The 5 Most Common with 7 Tips to Prevent them

Read more

Exercising While Wearing a Mask: Common Misconceptions

Read more

Why Elite Community Servants Need Physical Therapy STAT

Read more

Training with a CrossFit Physical Therapist Helps Avoid Common Injuries

Read more

One Major Tip for Making Your Diet a Success

Read more

The 7 Biggest Benefits of Physical Therapy

Read more

Overtraining: 7 Symptoms and What You Can Do About It Today

Read more

Dry Needling Therapy, Blood Flow Restriction, & Cupping: Does It Work for Athletes?

Read more

Shouldering the Blame for Shoulder Pain: Arthritis or Bursitis?

Read more

Why There is No Such Thing as an Off Season

Read more

Recovering from Spinal Surgery: What You Need to Know

Read more

How to Treat the Most Common Sports-Related Shoulder Injuries

Read more

The Cold Hard Facts About ACL Tear Risk Factors

Read more

Improve Your Running Form with These 8 Tips

Read more

How to Handle a Sports-Related Knee Injury

Read more

What’s Up With Barefoot Running?

Read more

How to Prevent Shoulder Impingement as an Overhead Athlete

Read more

Physical Therapy Guide for Hamstring Injuries

Read more

Knee Injuries from Soccer: Preventing Them with 3 Knee Strengthening Exercises

Read more

Gait Analysis – A Runner’s Secret Weapon Against Injury

Read more

Maximizing Your Post Injury Outcomes

Read more

4 Tips to Avoid Knee Injuries While Skiing

Read more

Don’t Let Lower Back Pain Keep You Off the Links

Read more

The Most Common Lacrosse Injuries

Read more

How Long Will My Physical Therapy Take?

Read more

The Unsung Hero of Pain Management: Nutrition

Read more

Care and Feeding of Pitchers in the Off-Season

Read more

What Can I Expect After Rotator Cuff Surgery?

Read more

3 Ways You Can Prevent Knee Injuries and Weakness

Read more

Experiencing Pain? See a Physical Therapist First

Read more

Can Athletes Benefit from Hip Arthroscopy?

Read more

High School Sports After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Returning Safely to the Game

Read more

Dry Needling: 6 Benefits To Help You Relieve Body Pain & Soreness In 1-2 Days

Read more

The Importance of a Strong Core

Read more

Golf Injuries – The 5 Most Common with 3 Tips & Stretches

Read more

Why Do We Need Sleep? (And More to the Point — How Do We Get It?)

Read more

What Athletes Need for the Ultimate Sports PT Facility

Read more

How You Can Avoid Germs at the Gym

Read more

An Awesome Inforgraphic About Lower Back Pain and Sports

Read more

How Common are Shoulder Injuries in Athletics?

Read more

Cupping Therapy: 4 Benefits & How It Can Relieve Pain Within 48 Hours

Read more

Strengthen Your Biceps With These 5 Home Workouts

Read more

7 Workout Mistakes Your Physical Therapist Doesn’t Want You to Make

Read more

Why You Should Go to Physical Therapy

Read more

Why True Sports Physical Therapy is Right For You

Read more

Is It An Ache or Am I Injured?

Read more

Groin Strains Symptoms and Treatments

Read more

Are You Ready for Golf Season?

Read more

How Athletes Avoid Knee Injuries When Competing, Practicing, Training or Working Out

Read more

How to Relieve Lower Back Pain as an Athlete

Read more

Quick Tips for Staying Motivated

Read more

Relieve Muscle Soreness With These 5 Tips

Read more

How Baseball Players Can Reduce Their Risk of UCL Injury

Read more

Cupping Therapy Relieves Pain and Encourages Healing

Read more

Physical Therapist vs Chiropractor: What's the Difference?

Read more

Some Thoughts Before Football Season

Read more

High School Sports Injuries

Read more

Is Blood Flow Restriction Training Right for You?

Read more

Staying Limber During Your Internship

Read more

What Athletes Should Know About Tendinopathy In the Shoulder

Read more

Meal Planning Tips for High School Athletes

Read more

Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What’s The Difference?

Read more

What are Achilles Tendon Conditions Signs and Symptoms?

Read more

How to Relieve Sciatica Pain with Physical Therapy

Read more

How to Deadlift and Squat without Risking Lower Back Injury

Read more

Preventing the Most Common Lacrosse Injuries

Read more

Graston Technique 101

Read more

Is Stress Causing Your Lower Back Pain?

Read more

Get Knee Pain Relief With These 3 Stretches

Read more

Advice You Need to Train for a Marathon in 2021

Read more

Impact of Correct Posture on Sports Performance

Read more

The Risks of a Sedentary Lifestyle – Enough To Get You Moving

Read more

Make Your Outpatient Rehab Count

Read more

Relieve Back Pain Fast In 5 Ways

Read more

5 Tips to Improve & Maximize Your Athletic Performance

Read more

Physical Therapy: Why It’s Important Both Before and After Surgery

Read more

Is Elbow Arthritis Ruining Your Game?

Read more

Working from Home Shouldn’t Be a Pain in the Neck — or Back

Read more

Dry Needling Can Accelerate Recovery for Athletes

Read more

Join Volo City & Build Community Through Your Favorite Sport

Read more

Tips for Avoiding Running Injuries

Read more

6 Ways a Physical Therapist Can Enhance Your Running Performance

Read more

Attending Physical Therapy During COVID-19: Is It Safe?

Read more

Resistance Training is Important

Read more

Benefits of Sport Specific Rehabilitation

Read more

Benefits of Training with a Strength Coach

Read more

5 Tips for Preventing Wrestling Injuries

Read more

Non-Surgical Injury Treatment Options for Athletes

Read more

How Sports Physical Therapy Can Accelerate Your Recovery Process

Read more

Sign up to our Newsletter

Get appointment updates, practical and actionable health + fitness tips, blog news, and True Sports announcements delivered straight to your inbox. No spam.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.