Shoulder Bursitis

If you’re tired of living with shoulder pain, then minimally invasive regenerative treatments could help you enjoy your life the way you want to.

Shoulder bursitis or Subacromial bursitis as it’s also known as, causes pain, tenderness and swelling of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac which forms under the skin, generally over joints and which acts as a cushion between the tendons and the bones. Anyone can injure their shoulder and develop bursitis but those who use their shoulders more at a higher risk of developing shoulder bursitis. Those prone to getting shoulder bursitis include:
  • Gardeners
  • Musicians
  • Athletes
  • Carpenters

What treatments does Living Room Health Regenerative Treatments offer?

Our renowned medical team provides a range of treatments, from the traditional to the innovative:

This is an effective and well-researched procedure that’s a potential alternative to surgery. It takes advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to reduce pain and improve joint function. It uses a specially concentrated dosage of platelets prepared from your own blood to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscle and bone. Patients usually see their symptoms improve in one to two weeks of having the injections. 

Read more clinical evidence supporting PRP here.

What causes shoulder bursitis?

There are several causes of shoulder bursitis, these include:

  • Repeated overuse of the shoulder
  • Injury to the shoulder
  • Tendinitis (inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons)
  • Gout
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis

What are the symptoms of shoulder bursitis?

If you develop Subacromial bursitis (shoulder bursitis) you may experience:

  • Pain when lying on your side
  • Pain on the outside or the top of the shoulder
  • Pain when moving your arm such as opening doors
  • Pressure and pain when pushing on the top of the shoulder
  • Pain when raising your arm above your head
  • Pain which spreads down your arm to your elbow or wrist
Symptoms tend to develop over weeks or months but in some cases, they may suddenly appear.

How is shoulder bursitis diagnosed?

If your shoulder is feeling painful or tender or swollen a doctor will examine the area and ask questions about your symptoms to determine the cause.

You may also be referred for an:

  • X-ray – to see if there any other bone problems such as arthritis which could be causing the pain
  • MRI – using a magnetic field and radio waves a detailed image of the shoulder is created which can reveal subtle changes in the shoulder
  • Ultrasound – soundwaves are used to produce a detailed image of the swollen bursa
  • Fluid aspiration – fluid is extracted from the bursa to test for infection

What are the non-surgical options for shoulder bursitis?

Treatment for shoulder bursitis aims to relieve symptoms and improve the function of the shoulder.

Initial treatment may include medications such as analgesics which help reduce the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDS – which reduce the pain and inflammation and steroid injections which reduce inflammation and provide short-term relief.

If the bursitis is caused by an infection the doctor may prescribe a cause of antibiotics.

Avoiding activities that you know worsen the condition is recommended and resting the shoulder can help improve symptoms.

You can also help reduce the pain, inflammation and swelling by applying ice to the affected area three or four times a day. If you do this, it’s important to place a cloth between the ice and your skin to prevent you getting an ice-burn.

Your doctor may also advise you to carry out a range of exercises (once the pain has decreased) to strengthen the shoulder and improve flexibility.

Our expert team specialises in treating patellar tendinopathy using advanced non-surgical techniques including mesenchymal stem cell therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy.

What are the surgical options for shoulder bursitis?

The doctor may perform surgery to remove the bursa or may choose to carry out an arthroscopic removal of the bursa. This involves removing the bursa through an incision in the shoulder. 

While surgery to remove an affected bursa is rarely recommended, but it may be an option if your symptoms don’t improve with other non-surgical treatments or if you suffer from recurrent bursitis. 

Why have a consultation at Living Room Health Regenerative Treatments?

Our experienced consultants will undertake a thorough examination exploring non-surgical and surgical treatments. They’ll also discuss your suitability for our state-of-the-art biological therapies.

Who will my consultation be with?

Your consultation will be with one of our upper limb specialists and will last approximately 30 minutes. You may be asked to attend for an MRI scan, prior to your appointment. 

As well as undertaking an examination, our specialists will take details of your medical history and discuss your symptoms. They will also detail all your treatment options and cover their potential benefits and risks.

Our expert team comprises of highly experienced surgeons, sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists who are committed to delivering a high level of care and the correct treatment option so you can quickly get back to moving around.

What is the autologus biological approach and when should it be considered?

Autologous translates as ‘from the same person.’ In brief, it involves using your own cells to encourage healing. The major benefits are that there is no chance of rejection, infection or contamination as you are using cells from your own body rather than a donor. 

We offer a range therapies based on this principle which can be considered if traditional treatments including surgery aren’t relieving your pain. 

Clinical evidence

Biological treatments are pioneering procedures and we’re continuously monitoring and recording its effectiveness. Patients undertaking these treatments are asked to complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaires. 

The information obtained from these questionnaires allows us to monitor your progress and it also contributes to our evidence-based database and other global studies on biological treatments. All information gathered is anonymised. 

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