Back bursitis: causes, care and warning signs

The painful area may be near the shoulder blade, pelvis or hip. Because several muscles, joints and nerves can produce pain in these regions, confirming the source matters before treatment.

Bursitis commonly causes local tenderness and pain with pressure or a movement that compresses the bursa. Swelling or warmth may occur when the affected bursa is close to the skin. Symptoms can follow repeated friction, prolonged pressure, a direct knock or another inflammatory problem.

Pain travelling down a limb, tingling, numbness or weakness suggests that a nerve may also need assessment. A clinician may examine the back, hip and shoulder region to distinguish bursal pain from a muscle strain, joint problem or spinal cause.

Temporarily reduce the movement or pressure that triggers pain while keeping comfortable daily movement. A wrapped cold pack can ease a newly irritated, superficial area; protect the skin and stop if it becomes painful or numb.

A clinician or physiotherapist can identify loading or movement patterns that keep irritating the bursa and guide a gradual return to activity. Medication is not suitable for everyone, particularly with stomach, kidney, heart, bleeding or medicine-interaction concerns, so check before using an anti-inflammatory drug.

If symptoms persist, treatment depends on the confirmed location and cause. An injection or aspiration may be considered in selected cases, but neither should substitute for evaluating possible infection.

Seek prompt assessment if the area becomes red, hot and increasingly swollen, especially with fever, chills, a wound or feeling unwell. These features can accompany infection and require examination.

Urgent care is also appropriate for major trauma, inability to use an arm or leg normally, new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin. Book a routine review when pain keeps returning, disrupts sleep or does not settle with activity adjustment.

Ask which bursa or other structure appears to be painful, whether infection or a nerve problem has been excluded, and which movements should be modified. If a procedure is offered, ask what it is intended to clarify or treat and what aftercare is required.