The shoulder is one of the most common sites for bursitis— inflammation of the bursa, or the closed, fluid-filled sac that cushions and allows for frictionless movement between tissues in the body.
Shoulder bursitis can cause sharp or disabling pain, which can get exacerbated with overhead movements; decreased range of motion; excessive swelling, redness, and bruising, among other symptoms. Shoulder bursitis has various potential causes, namely repetitive movement, inflammatory arthritis, and infection. If shoulder bursitis is caused by an infection, you can also feel very sick, tired, and feverish.
While not as highly prevalent as its close cousin (arthritis), bursitis warrants proper medical treatment, as it can have equally detrimental effects on not only your long-term mobility but also your overall health. Below, you’ll learn about the specific risks of leaving shoulder bursitis untreated.
Compromised Shoulder Range of Motion
Shoulder bursitis that lasts for three months or longer is considered chronic. Chronic bursitis involves repeated flare-ups and prolonged inflammation, which can further damage the bursa/e, significantly affecting your shoulder’s range of motion. Over time, when your shoulder mobility gets compromised, even slight movements can become painful and difficult.
Muscle Atrophy
Limited shoulder mobility brought on by chronic shoulder bursitis can eventually result in muscle atrophy, which is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue. Muscle atrophy can cause permanent disability.
Septic Shock
Leaving shoulder bursitis untreated can result in problems beyond mobility issues. In rare cases, it can also lead to a life-threatening complication.
Septic (infectious) bursitis, in particular, can cause severe redness and warmth of the skin over the bursa, fever and chills, and tenderness at the site. If you experience these symptoms, make sure to seek immediate intervention. Septic bursitis requires prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent bodywide infection and, ultimately, septic shock— a potentially fatal condition characterized by extremely low blood pressure.
Shoulder Bursitis Treatment in Miami Lakes or Plantation, FL
If you’re looking for an orthopedic practice reputed for delivering first-rate, comprehensive upper-extremity care within the Miami Lakes or Plantation area in Florida, visit us here at The Orthopaedic Hand and Arm Center.
Dr. Tosca Kinchelow, our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder problems—including shoulder bursitis. Dr. Kinchelow offers an extensive range of nonsurgical and surgical solutions to bring one goal to fruition: to help the people in the communities she serves feel, move, and live better.
Book your visit with Dr. Kinchelow today. Contact our staff at (954) 635-5300 or submit an appointment request using this secure and convenient form. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality of upper-extremity care!
