If you have a swollen, painful joint, it could be due to a variety of conditions, including bursitis — an inflammatory condition that affects your bursae. Alexander Kulick, MD, diagnoses and treats bursitis at his practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City. Don’t put up with joint pain. Call Dr. Kulick or schedule a consultation online today for expert treatment.

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The hips support the body and are susceptible to daily wear and tear and to injuries that can cause discomfort and pain affecting your daily quality of life. At the Center for Integrated Pain Management, conditions are diagnosed and treatment plans are tailored for the patient’s optimal health and pain relief. Below is a list of hip conditions treated at the Center.

  • Trochanteric Bursitis
  • Hip Sprains, Strains and Tears
  • Hip Osteoarthritis
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Snapping Hip Syndrome
  • Nerve Entrapment/Radiculopathys

A diagnosis will be made once Dr. Kulick reviews your family history, completes a thorough physical examination and conducts an in-office ultrasound. If necessary,  Dr. Kulick may request that you obtain an MRI, a CT Scan or additional X-rays in order to determine the diagnosis and treatment plan.

To learn more about the treatment and relief of hip conditions please contact our office at  212-867-1777.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammatory condition that affects your bursae. Your bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs in your joints. They lubricate and cushion the areas where tendons, muscles, and bones meet. 

Bursitis usually follows an injury to your bursae. You could have a traumatic injury while playing sports, or you could develop a repetitive strain injury from overusing your joint. Some common causes of bursitis include:

  • Sports injuries
  • Bending your knees repeatedly
  • Staying on your knees for extended periods
  • Infection
  • Poor posture
  • Arthritis

You can develop bursitis in any joint, although your knees, elbows, and shoulders are the most likely joints to be affected. 

Your risk of bursitis is higher if you participate in sports or have a career or hobby that requires you to spend a lot of time leaning on your elbows or kneeling. Your risk of bursitis also increases with age as the tissue in your body tends to become dry and less flexible.

What are the symptoms of bursitis?

Joint pain is the most common warning sign of bursitis. The pain is often debilitating, and you won’t be able to bend or flex the affected joint. Bursitis pain also becomes more severe when you exercise or put pressure on your injured joint. 

Additionally, your joint becomes swollen and red, and you might develop bruising or a rash. In some cases, you might also develop a fever. 

How is bursitis treated? 

If you have joint pain that lasts for more than a few days and doesn’t start to get better with at-home treatments like ice, over-the-counter painkillers, and rest, you should make an appointment with Dr. Kulick. He offers comprehensive exams to identify the condition causing your joint pain, including X-rays and MRIs. 

If you have bursitis, Dr. Kulick creates a customized treatment plan to relieve your pain and heal your joint. Depending on your needs, he might prescribe medication, including joint injections, to reduce the inflammation.

You might also benefit from physical therapy or using an assistive device like a cane or crutch while your joint heals. In severe cases, Dr. Kulick might recommend surgery to drain or remove the affected bursa.

Call the office of Dr. Alexander Kulick or make an appointment online today if you have joint pain that could be due to bursitis.