Bursitis Treatment

The doctor will probably recommend home care with P-R-I-C-E-M: protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation, and medications (discussed below).

Self-Care at Home

The treatment for bursitis can be remembered with the following memory device: P-R-I-C-E-M.

• Protection includes padding especially for bursae close to the surface of the skin on the ankles and knees.
  
  
• Relative rest of the affected area if possible may help symptoms. Choose alternate types of exercise activities that eliminate painful motions. Swimming may help rather than hurt.
  
  
• Ice is a very effective anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agent. Small ice packs, such as packages of frozen vegetables or water frozen in foam coffee cups, applied to the area for about 10 minutes at least twice a day may help decrease inflammation.
  
  
• Compression is helpful when it is feasible to compress the area. An elastic bandage can be applied (especially to knees and elbows).
  
  
• Elevate. Keep the area elevated above the heart to keep blood from pooling there.
  
  
• Medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen may be helpful to reduce inflammation. Consult your doctor before taking these if you are on any blood-thinning medications or have a history of stomach ulcers.

Medical Treatment

If your bursitis is not infectious, the doctor may inject the bursa with a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. The results last for varying lengths of time. Because of potential complications, injections are usually given no more than 3 times per year at least 30 days apart.

If your bursitis is infectious, the bursa will be drained with a needle. The doctor will then prescribe oral antibiotics. If the infection is very serious, does not respond to oral antibiotics, or if your immune system is weakened, you may be admitted to the hospital for intravenous antibiotics. Most causes of infectious bursitis, however, can be managed safely at home.