Living with fibromyalgia often means navigating a complex web of symptoms and overlapping conditions. One that
frequently confuses patients and doctors
alike is bursitis. The two share common features—pain, stiffness, and sensitivity—so much so that
patients sometimes wonder: Is my pain from fibromyalgia, bursitis, or both?
The truth is, fibromyalgia and bursitis are distinct conditions, but they can interact in ways that make life
even more challenging. Understanding what’s connected—and what isn’t—can help
you get better treatment and relief.
What Is Bursitis?
Bursitis is the inflammation
of the bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. When
irritated, they swell and cause pain,
especially with movement.
Common sites of
bursitis:
- Shoulder
(subacromial bursitis)
- Hip
(trochanteric bursitis)
- Elbow
(olecranon bursitis)
- Knee
(prepatellar bursitis)
Key symptoms:
- Localized
joint pain and swelling
- Tenderness
over a specific area
- Pain that worsens with movement or pressure
- Sometimes
warmth or redness at the site
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder involving central
sensitization, where the brain and spinal cord amplify pain signals. Unlike bursitis, fibro is not caused by inflammation in joints or
tissues.
Key symptoms:
- Widespread
muscle pain and stiffness
- Fatigue
and non-refreshing sleep
- Cognitive
dysfunction (“fibro fog”)
- Tender
points throughout the body
- Sensitivity
to light, sound, and temperature
Bursitis vs. Fibromyalgia: Key Differences
|
Feature |
Bursitis |
|
|
Cause |
Local inflammation of bursae |
Nervous system over-sensitization |
|
Pain Location |
Localized (specific joint) |
Widespread (muscles and soft tissues) |
|
Inflammation |
Present, often visible/swollen |
Absent in tissues, normal labs |
|
Trigger |
Repetitive motion, injury, pressure |
Stress, poor sleep, trauma, unknown |
|
Treatment |
Rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, therapy |
Medications, pacing, lifestyle changes |
|
Duration |
Temporary (weeks–months, if treated) |
Chronic (long-term, fluctuating) |
What’s Connected
1. Overlap of Pain Locations
Both conditions can
affect shoulders, hips, and knees. A fibro
patient with hip pain
may actually have trochanteric bursitis on top of fibro.
2. Fibro Amplifies Bursitis Pain
Because fibromyalgia heightens pain signals, bursitis pain may feel much worse than it
would in someone without fibro.
3. Shared Risk
Factors
- Overuse
and poor posture (common in fibro due to stiffness).
- Sedentary
lifestyle (often caused by fatigue).
- Sleep
disturbances (slowing healing of bursitis).
4. Treatment
Challenges
Steroid injections or
anti-inflammatories may calm bursitis, but the background fibro pain may persist, leaving patients unsure what’s really helping.
What’s Not Connected
- Cause: Fibromyalgia does not cause bursitis. Bursitis is
mechanical/inflammatory; fibro is neurological.
- Inflammation
markers: Bursitis may show
swelling and redness; fibro doesn’t.
- Healing
pattern: Bursitis often improves
with rest and treatment; fibro is chronic and fluctuating.
How to Tell the Difference
Ask yourself:
- Is
the pain localized to one joint and worse with
movement/pressure? → More likely bursitis.
- Is
the pain widespread, shifting, and unpredictable? →
More likely fibromyalgia.
- Do
I see swelling, warmth, or redness? → Bursitis is possible.
- Do
blood tests show inflammation (elevated CRP or ESR)? → Suggests bursitis,
not fibro.
Managing Both Together
For Bursitis
- Rest
and avoid repetitive strain.
- Ice
packs for 15–20 minutes several times a day.
- Physical
therapy to correct posture and prevent recurrence.
- Anti-inflammatory
meds (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections.
For Fibromyalgia
- Gentle,
regular exercise (walking, yoga, tai chi).
- Medications
like duloxetine, pregabalin, or amitriptyline.
- Stress
management and pacing.
- Sleep
hygiene routines.
When Both Coexist
- Treat
the bursitis locally while maintaining fibromyalgia care globally.
- Avoid
immobilizing yourself too much—fibro worsens with inactivity.
- Work
with both a rheumatologist and physical therapist for
a tailored plan.
Real Patient Voices
- Elena,
42: “My hip pain
was unbearable—I thought it was fibro. An MRI showed bursitis. Once treated, my fibro
pain
was still there, but less overwhelming.”
- Marcus,
56: “I had both bursitis in
my shoulder and fibro. The injection helped the shoulder, but pacing helped
the rest.”
- Nina,
38: “It’s tricky—sometimes I
blame fibro for everything. Learning the difference made treatment
so much more effective.”
Frequently Asked
Questions
1. Can fibromyalgia cause bursitis?
No. Fibromyalgia doesn’t cause inflammation. But stiffness and
poor posture may make bursitis more likely.
2. Does treating
bursitis cure fibro pain?
No. They’re separate conditions. Treating bursitis can relieve localized pain but won’t eliminate fibro symptoms.
3. How can I tell if
my hip pain is fibro or bursitis?
If it’s localized, tender to touch, and worse with activity or pressure, it’s
more likely bursitis.
4. Do fibro patients get bursitis more often?
Not necessarily, but they may feel bursitis pain more intensely.
5. Should I see a rheumatologist
or orthopedist?
A rheumatologist helps with fibro
management; an orthopedist or PT is best for bursitis.
6. Can both happen at
the same time?
Yes—and when they do, treatment should target both conditions.
Final Thoughts
Bursitis and fibromyalgia may look alike at first glance, but
they’re different conditions with different causes. What
connects them is how fibro amplifies bursitis pain and how often they overlap in the same
joints.
By learning the
distinctions, you can avoid misdiagnosis, treat bursitis effectively, and manage fibro more realistically. Relief is possible—but it
requires knowing which pain
belongs to which condition.
For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:
References:
Join Our Whatsapp Fibromyalgia Community
Click here to Join Our Whatsapp Community
Official Fibromyalgia Blogs
Click here to Get the latest Fibromyalgia Updates
Fibromyalgia Stores
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