When you have pain in your lower extremity, whether it’s your hip, knee, ankle or foot, it can make everyday activities more difficult than they should be. There are many different conditions that cause lower extremity pain, but two of the more common causes are bursitis and tendonitis. While they may feel similar at first, they affect different structures in the body and may need slightly different approaches to treatment. Understanding the differences between these two conditions can help you take the right steps to recover and get back to doing more of what you love in life.
What is Bursitis?
Bursitis is the painful inflammation or irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and muscle tendons, reducing friction. You can find bursa at the hip, knee, heel and big toe. Symptoms of bursitis include:
- Aching or stiff pain.
- Tenderness when pressing on the area.
- Swelling around the joint.
- Pain that worsens with prolonged positions, like sitting at a desk for too long.
Bursitis pain often feels more localized and deeper, especially around the affected joint.
Common causes include repetitive motions, minor impacts, or overuse of the joint. Actions such as kneeling, squatting, running, cycling, or trauma to the joint (falling on the hip or knee) can irritate the bursa. However, bursitis can also be caused by problematic biomechanics, such as a leg length difference or abnormal gait.
What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of the tendons. Tendons are the connective tissue that connect muscle to the bones. Common areas for tendonitis to be found include the Achilles tendon (back of ankle), Patellar tendon (below the kneecap) and the Posterior tendon (runs along the inside of the ankle and foot). Some common symptoms of tendonitis are:
- Pain with movement or activity.
- Stiffness, especially after long periods of rest.
- Mild swelling.
- A pulling or tight sensation at the joint.
Tendonitis pain is often more noticeable during movement and lessens when at rest.
Common causes are sudden increases in movement, running, especially on uneven surfaces, tight calf muscles, improper biomechanics and abnormal gait. Other factors can contribute, such as pregnancy weight and weight gain, because it puts extra strain on the lower extremities, age, and even certain medications can weaken tendons.
Treatment Options
While both conditions benefit from early intervention, timelines for healing may vary. Both conditions can be treated with the following:
- Rest and activity modification: Avoid repetitive movement whenever possible.
- Ice application: No more than 20 minutes of ice at one time (never put ice or frozen compress directly against the skin; always wrap the ice or compress in a towel).
- Gentle stretching and strengthening, a physiotherapist can help with specific exercises and stretching for the injured area.
- Supportive footwear: properly fit supportive shoes can help to align the foot and take pressure off the ankle, knee and hip.
- Orthotics: help to properly align the foot and support the arch, taking pressure of the ankle, knee and hips.
- Compression: Compression sleeves and socks help to reduce the swelling, support circulation and tissue recovery and can provide stability and comfort to the injured area.
Bursitis and tendonitis may feel similar, but they involve different parts of the body. Paying attention to your symptoms and quickly seeking treatment can help you recover faster. A BioPed clinician can assess your gait and help guide you into the right footwear, orthotics or compression option. Incorporating such tools can help support your recovery and help you do more of what you love.
