Simply put, bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, arthritis the inflammation of a joint, and tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils. The suffix "itis" indicates inflammation and bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa sac in the body. This condition occurs in millions and millions of people all over the world, especially highly active people like runners, tennis players, and other athletes.

The bursae sacs live around the joints so it's not uncommon for people to have bursitis and think they have arthritis or tendonitis. Bursae are slippery sacs that prevent friction among moving parts of the body. You can find them around the joints where the tendons and muscles attach to the bones. Without bursae, moving the knees, shoulders, elbows, hips, and ankles would be painful.

The Delicate Human Body

The human body contains so many different pieces, all of which work together so we can function effectively in this world we've created. When any one of these pieces is damaged or failed, life can become painful and complicated. While the bursae sacs are a small part of the human body, the existence of these sacs makes life much more fluid.

If you have bursitis, you'll know because this disorder primarily uses pain to reveal itself. Again, it can be confused with other joint disorders so it's important to have it properly diagnosed. Arthritis of the knee might require a little different treatment than bursitis of the knee or tendonitis of the knee. If you have bursitis, take your doctor's advice and get it handled. It doesn't take much for the human body to break down.