Bursitis of shoulder
Shoulder bursitis is when a small, fluid-filled sac in your shoulder joint becomes swollen and irritated, causing pain when you move your arm.
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Your shoulder contains tiny, slippery sacs called bursae that act like miniature cushions between your bones and your tendons, which are the tough cords that attach muscle to bone. These sacs allow your shoulder to glide smoothly every time you move.
When these sacs become inflamed or irritated—a condition we call bursitis—they lose that smoothness. This creates friction and pain whenever you try to lift, reach, or rotate your arm, making simple tasks like brushing your hair or reaching for a shelf difficult.
Common Symptoms
- A sharp or dull ache on the outside or top of your shoulder.
- Pain that gets worse when you raise your arm above your head.
- Stiffness or difficulty moving your arm backward behind your back.
- Tenderness when you press on the tip of the shoulder.
- Pain that keeps you awake if you try to sleep on that side.