Bursitis Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bursitis is a common cause of joint pain for many people in Grand Rapids, especially those with active jobs, outdoor hobbies, or repetitive work. Understanding the condition and knowing when to seek care from a local provider like Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health can help you recover faster and prevent future flare-ups.

What Is Bursitis?

Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa—a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects the space between bones and nearby soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and skin.
Healthy bursae reduce friction and allow your joints to move smoothly.

When a joint is overused, irritated, or injured, the nearby bursa can become inflamed and fill with excess fluid. This leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness that can limit your movement.

Common Symptoms of Bursitis

Bursitis symptoms can develop suddenly after an injury or gradually with repetitive use. In Grand Rapids residents, symptoms often flare up with physical work, sports, or even snow shoveling in winter.

Typical signs and symptoms of bursitis include:

  • Localized pain around a joint (often sharp with movement)
  • Swelling or a noticeable lump over the affected area
  • A warm feeling in or around the joint
  • Reddening of the skin in the affected area
  • Stiffness or reduced range of motion
  • Pain that gets worse with movement or pressure
  • Increased pain at night or when lying on the affected area

If you also have a fever, feel generally unwell, or the area is very red and hot, this may suggest an infection in the bursa and requires urgent medical attention.

Joints Most Commonly Affected

Bursitis can occur in many areas of the body, but the most common sites include:

  • Shoulder
  • Elbow (often called “student’s elbow” or “tennis elbow” region)
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Heel (near the Achilles tendon)

In Grand Rapids, shoulder and knee bursitis are especially common among people who:

  • Work in manufacturing, construction, or health care
  • Spend long hours at a computer
  • Shovel snow, rake leaves, or do yard work
  • Play sports like tennis, running, or basketball

Causes and Risk Factors for Bursitis

Injury, Repeated Pressure, and Overuse

The most frequent causes of bursitis are:

  • Overuse of a joint – repeating the same motion many times
  • Prolonged pressure on a joint (kneeling, leaning on elbows)
  • Direct injury or trauma to the area

Common work-related activities in the Grand Rapids area that may trigger bursitis include:

  • Production-line or factory work involving repetitive arm or hand motions
  • Laying carpet, flooring, or tile (prolonged kneeling)
  • Housekeeping, maintenance, and custodial work
  • Prolonged typing or mouse use at a computer without ergonomic support
  • Healthcare and caregiving tasks that involve lifting or repositioning patients

Sports and hobbies that can contribute to bursitis:

  • Jogging or running (especially on hard surfaces or in worn-out shoes)
  • Tennis, pickleball, and squash
  • Basketball and volleyball
  • Gardening, home improvement, and snow shoveling

Medical Conditions That Increase Risk

Certain health conditions common in Michigan and nationwide can make bursitis more likely:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Gout
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid disorders

Weight and Joint Stress

Being overweight or obese increases stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and heels. This can raise your risk of:

  • Hip bursitis
  • Knee bursitis
  • Heel (Achilles) bursitis

Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and activity—supported by local resources like the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs—can help lower your risk.

Sometimes, bursitis is caused by an infection (septic bursitis). This can occur if:

  • A joint area is cut, scraped, or punctured
  • Bacteria enter the bursa and multiply

Signs of infected bursitis may include:

  • Severe pain and swelling
  • Skin that is very red and hot
  • Fever or chills
  • Feeling generally unwell

This type of bursitis requires prompt medical treatment and typically antibiotics. If you suspect an infection, contact your Grand Rapids primary care provider or urgent care right away.

How Bursitis Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

Your healthcare provider—such as a family doctor, sports medicine specialist, or orthopedic physician at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health—will usually start with:

  • Medical history – asking about your symptoms, job, activities, and medical conditions
  • Physical examination – checking the painful area for swelling, warmth, tenderness, and range of motion

To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other problems (like fractures, arthritis, or tendon tears), your provider may order:

  • X-rays – to look at bones and rule out other joint issues
  • Ultrasound – to visualize the bursa and surrounding soft tissues
  • Fluid aspiration (bursal fluid tap) – using a needle to remove fluid from the bursa to:
    • Check for infection
    • Look for crystals (as in gout)
    • Reduce pressure and pain

These tests are commonly available through imaging centers and outpatient clinics across the Grand Rapids area.

Treatment Options for Bursitis

Treatment for bursitis in Grand Rapids focuses on:

  1. Relieving pain and inflammation
  2. Allowing the bursa to heal
  3. Preventing future flare-ups

Home Care and Conservative Management

For many people, bursitis improves with simple measures such as:

  • Rest – avoid or modify the activity that triggered your symptoms
  • Cold packs – apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15–20 minutes several times a day
  • Elevation – if possible, elevate the affected limb to reduce swelling
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers – such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), if appropriate for you

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting new medications, especially if you have kidney, heart, or stomach problems.

Medical Treatments

If pain is more severe or does not improve, your Grand Rapids provider may recommend:

  • Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications
  • Corticosteroid injections into the bursa to quickly reduce inflammation and pain
  • Antibiotics if an infection is present
  • Aspiration (draining fluid from the bursa) to relieve pressure and help diagnose infection

In rare, chronic, or severe cases, surgery to remove the bursa may be considered, usually performed by an orthopedic surgeon.

Rehabilitation: Physical and Occupational Therapy

Rehabilitation is an important part of bursitis treatment and long-term prevention.

Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids

A physical therapist can help you:

  • Gently restore joint motion and flexibility
  • Strengthen muscles that support the affected joint
  • Improve posture and body mechanics
  • Develop a safe exercise plan for work and recreation

Many physical therapy clinics in Grand Rapids work closely with local health systems and can provide customized programs for work-related or sports-related bursitis.

Occupational Therapy and Ergonomics

An occupational therapist can:

  • Evaluate how you perform daily tasks at home and work
  • Suggest ways to modify activities that caused your bursitis
  • Recommend ergonomic changes, such as:
    • Adjusting desk and chair height
    • Using wrist supports or forearm rests at the computer
    • Adding knee pads or cushions if you kneel frequently
  • Provide braces or splints to support and protect joints

Correct posture, joint protection techniques, and proper equipment can significantly reduce stress on your joints and lower your risk of recurrent bursitis.

Preventing Bursitis: Tips for Grand Rapids Residents

At Work

To prevent work-related bursitis:

  • Keep work surfaces at about waist height so your shoulders can relax
  • Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment
  • Avoid leaning on your elbows for long periods
  • Take regular breaks to change position
  • Do simple stretching exercises throughout your day
  • Use knee pads or cushions if your job involves frequent kneeling

Local employers and occupational health services in Grand Rapids often provide ergonomic assessments—ask your HR or safety department about available resources.

During Sports and Exercise

To prevent sport-related bursitis:

  • Warm up thoroughly with gentle stretches and light activity
  • Practice proper technique for your sport (consider lessons or coaching)
  • Include strengthening and conditioning exercises that support your sport
  • Wear appropriate footwear with good support, especially for running or court sports
  • Replace worn-out shoes regularly, especially if you run on hard surfaces
  • Cool down with gentle, sustained stretches after activity

During Michigan’s cold winters, consider:

  • Warming up indoors before heading outside
  • Wearing layers to keep muscles and joints warm
  • Using caution with snow shoveling, which can strain shoulders, hips, and back

Long-Term Joint Health

For long-term bursitis management and prevention:

  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on hips, knees, and heels
  • Stay physically active with low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling
  • Avoid sudden increases in activity intensity or duration
  • Address early joint pain promptly rather than “pushing through” it

Local wellness programs and community centers in Grand Rapids, as well as resources from the Kent County Health Department, can support healthy lifestyle changes.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Contact your healthcare provider or seek urgent care if you have:

  • Severe pain or swelling around a joint
  • Red, warm skin over the area
  • Fever or chills
  • Sudden inability to move the joint
  • Symptoms that do not improve with rest and home care after several days

You can start by seeing your primary care provider or a walk-in clinic. They may refer you to:

  • An orthopedic specialist
  • A sports medicine physician
  • A rheumatologist (if an underlying condition like rheumatoid arthritis or gout is suspected)
  • A physical or occupational therapist

Key Points About Bursitis for Grand Rapids Patients

  • Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions your joints.
  • Common symptoms include localized pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness, and sometimes redness.
  • The shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel are the most common sites of bursitis.
  • Injury, repeated pressure, and overuse—often related to work, sports, or seasonal activities like snow shoveling—are frequent causes.
  • Being overweight and having conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or diabetes can increase your risk.
  • Most cases improve with rest, ice, medication, and physical therapy, but infected bursitis requires prompt antibiotic treatment.
  • Proper ergonomics, posture, technique, and conditioning can help prevent bursitis and keep you active year-round in Grand Rapids.

If you’re experiencing joint pain that might be bursitis, consider scheduling an appointment with a local Grand Rapids healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.