If you’ve been experiencing stiffness, swelling, or sharp pain in a joint, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with either bursitis or tendonitis. Both conditions are caused by repetitive motion, excessive strain, or direct injury, and they share symptoms such as pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Despite these similarities, bursitis and tendonitis affect different parts of the joints and tissues in varied ways.
Many people don’t seek legal help until the pain becomes unbearable, and by then, it might already be affecting their job performance or ability to enjoy life. Workers who develop bursitis and tendonitis due to repetitive activities or work-related injuries might be eligible for workers’ compensation.
If you’re dealing with joint pain stemming from your job duties, recognizing your condition correctly can influence your ability to secure benefits and proper medical care under workers’ comp law in South Carolina. Our experienced York workers’ compensation lawyer can help.
Understanding Bursitis: Causes and Common Symptoms
Bursitis is a painful condition caused by the inflammation of a small, fluid-filled sac known as a bursa. These sacs act like cushions that reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints. When a bursa becomes inflamed or irritated, you can experience pain and discomfort that limits your ability to perform everyday activities.
Bursitis can develop suddenly or over time, and it often affects areas of the body that experience frequent motion or pressure.
Common sites include the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and heel joints.
What Causes Bursitis?
There are several common causes of bursitis, often related to repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, or frequent joint pressure. Typical causes include:
- Repetitive Movements: Jobs that involve repetitive motion, such as lifting, kneeling, or repeated arm movements, can irritate the bursae.
- Prolonged Pressure: Sitting or kneeling for extended periods is common in occupations like construction, plumbing, or gardening and can lead to bursitis.
- Direct Injury: Sudden trauma or direct blows to joints, such as falls or impacts at work, can also trigger bursitis.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infections may also cause or exacerbate bursitis.
- Traumatic Injury: Direct blows or falls onto joints can irritate or inflame the bursa.
Common Symptoms of Bursitis
The symptoms can vary depending on which joint is affected, but most people experience:
- Pain and tenderness in the joint, especially during movement or when pressure is applied.
- Swelling and redness around the affected joint, often warm to the touch.
- Limited mobility, stiffness, or difficulty performing daily tasks like lifting or reaching overhead.
- Sharp or aching sensations, especially after prolonged use of the joint.
What Is Tendonitis and How Does It Occur?
Tendonitis, sometimes spelled tendinitis, occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed or irritated.
Tendons play a crucial role in movement, and when they’re healthy, they smoothly glide within their protective sheaths. However, repetitive motions, overuse, or sudden increases in physical activity can lead to irritation or microscopic tears in these tissues.
Common activities that cause tendonitis include repetitive work tasks such as lifting, gripping, or continuous typing, as well as sports activities like tennis, golf, or running. Poor posture, improper lifting techniques, or inadequate conditioning can also increase your risk. Additionally, aging naturally weakens tendons, making them more prone to inflammation or injury over time.
Symptoms of tendonitis typically include dull, aching pain around the affected area, which worsens with movement or activity. The affected tendon may also become tender to touch, mildly swollen, or stiff, particularly after rest or prolonged inactivity.
Common areas impacted by tendonitis include shoulders (rotator cuff tendonitis), elbows (“tennis elbow” or “golfer’s elbow”), wrists, knees, and the Achilles tendon in the heel.
Key Differences Between Bursitis and Tendonitis
A key difference between bursitis vs tendonitis is how and why they develop. Bursitis often results from prolonged pressure or direct trauma to a joint, whereas tendonitis arises from repetitive strain or overuse.
With bursitis, you’ll usually notice localized swelling and warmth directly over the affected joint.
The joint might appear noticeably swollen or red. In contrast, tendonitis generally causes pain along the path of the affected tendon, and while it can produce mild swelling, it typically isn’t as visibly swollen or warm as bursitis.
Bursitis often occurs in joints such as your shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. In contrast, tendonitis commonly affects tendons in the shoulders (rotator cuff), elbows (tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow), wrists, and heels (Achilles tendonitis).
Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Each Condition
A doctor will begin by reviewing your medical history and performing a thorough physical exam, assessing the affected joint or tendon area for pain, tenderness, swelling, and mobility limitations. Your doctor may recommend imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.
Treatment usually begins by resting and avoiding activities that trigger or worsen the symptoms.
Ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can reduce swelling and relieve pain. Physical therapy is often recommended to strengthen surrounding muscles, improve flexibility, and restore mobility.
If these initial treatments aren’t providing enough relief, your doctor may suggest corticosteroid injections directly into the inflamed bursa or tendon area. These injections can offer rapid pain relief and reduce inflammation.
However, repeated steroid injections are typically limited due to potential side effects, including weakening of the tissues over time.
Surgery is rarely necessary, but in severe, chronic cases of bursitis or tendonitis that don’t respond to other treatments, surgical intervention may be required to repair or remove damaged tissues.
Can You File a Workers’ Comp Claim for Bursitis or Tendonitis?
If you developed bursitis or tendonitis due to repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, or prolonged strain from your job duties, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Under South Carolina workers’ compensation law, employees who suffer injuries or chronic conditions as a direct result of their employment are entitled to compensation, which may include coverage for medical expenses, rehabilitation services, and lost wages.
However, successfully filing a claim isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies often challenge these claims by questioning whether your condition is truly work-related or claiming it was a pre-existing issue. To ensure your claim is handled properly, it’s crucial to:
- Report your condition to your employer immediately.
- Get medical attention right away and clearly explain your work-related activities to your doctor.
- Document your symptoms, treatments, and communications related to your injury.
Contact an Experienced York, SC Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re suffering from bursitis or tendonitis and think it might be work-related, contact Hunter | Everage. We’ll help you understand your rights, gather the right medical evidence, and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.
Call us today at 704-377-9157 for a free consultation or get in touch online for a free case review.