Which joints are most commonly affected by bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which are small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between moving tissues in the joints. The shoulder and elbow joints are commonly affected by bursitis due to their anatomical structures and the mechanical stress placed on them during various activities.

The shoulder joint is particularly prone to bursitis because of its wide range of motion, which can lead to repetitive microtrauma. Conditions like rotator cuff injuries can exacerbate the inflammation of the subacromial bursa. The elbow also frequently experiences bursitis, especially in the olecranon bursa, as a result of direct trauma (like “student's elbow”), repetitive movements, or prolonged pressure.

While hips and knees can develop bursitis, they are not as frequently highlighted as the shoulder and elbow in various clinical literature. The wrist and ankle joints, along with the back and neck, are less commonly associated with bursitis when compared to shoulder and elbow bursitis.

Understanding this predisposition of certain joints helps in diagnosing and treating bursitis effectively through rest, physical therapy, or, in some cases, corticosteroid injections.