Common orthopedic concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Bursitis
Inflammation of a joint's cushioning sac
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa (a small fluid-filled sac that cushions joints), producing localized pain over the joint, often from overuse or direct pressure. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Bursitis is one of many orthopedic conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most patients improve with conservative care: image-guided injections, bracing, and PT with your in-network provider.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is bursitis?
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa (a small fluid-filled sac that cushions joints), producing localized pain over the joint, often from overuse or direct pressure. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Most patients with bursitis improve with conservative care: targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections, bracing or supportive footwear when relevant, and activity modification. When conservative care isn't enough or imaging shows structural injury that won't heal on its own, our specialists offer the next-step procedures discussed below.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose bursitis, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Bursitis of the Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
This is a swelling of a fluid-filled sac called the "subacromial bursa." It's in the shoulder, between a bony protrusion called the "acromion" and the rotator cuff. You have similar sacs near other large joints throughout your body. They act as cushions between your bones and your soft tissue. Normally they have a small amount of fluid inside them. But sometimes they can swell. We call that "bursitis."
Inside the musculoskeletal system.
Most musculoskeletal pain comes down to one of four tissues: bone, cartilage, ligament/tendon, or muscle. The right care starts with the right diagnosis: figuring out which tissue is hurt, why, and how much. From there the plan is built around the specific condition, your goals, and what you actually do day to day.
Symptoms and causes of bursitis
Common symptoms
- Localized pain over a joint
- Tenderness with direct pressure
- Swelling and warmth in superficial bursae
- Pain with motion
Common causes
- Repetitive motion (overhead reaching, kneeling)
- Direct pressure or impact
- Infection (septic bursitis)
- Underlying arthritis or gout
How we diagnose bursitis
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for bursitis typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the affected area: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat bursitis at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Rest and activity modification, with padding to keep pressure off the area
- Ice and anti-inflammatory medication, by mouth or on the skin
- Physical therapy to correct the mechanics that irritate the bursa
- Drainage (aspiration) of a swollen bursa when needed
- Image-guided steroid injection for bursitis that is not caused by infection
- Antibiotics, and sometimes drainage, when the bursa is infected
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Surgery for bursitis is uncommon and is considered when symptoms persist despite conservative care or an infected bursa needs to be drained.
- Bursectomy: removal of the inflamed bursa, often arthroscopically
- Removal of a bone spur or prominence that keeps irritating the bursa
- Surgical drainage of an infected bursa that does not respond to antibiotics
- Repair of a related tendon problem at the same surgery, when present
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Orthopedic care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our orthopedic specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a orthopedic specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a orthopedic specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the affected area that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your orthopedic recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the affected area, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the affected area.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Treatment-specific considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our orthopedic doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our orthopedic specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your orthopedic specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
David Barba, MD
Hip & Knee Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Wilshire
- East Los Angeles
Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
- +1 more
Care for bursitis starts here
Don't let bursitis be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see an orthopedic specialist in Los Angeles.
Common bursitis questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a orthopedic specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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