Bursitis
Assessment and rehabilitation for Bursitis and movement related pain in the lower limb
Understanding biomechanical issues
Biomechanical issues occur when the way your body moves, loads or absorbs force places excessive stress on certain structures. Over time, this can lead to irritation, pain or inflammation in joints, tendons and soft tissues. One common presentation related to biomechanical stress is bursitis, where a fluid filled bursa becomes irritated due to repeated pressure or load.
At Active Health Riverina, we assess how your body moves as a whole. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, we focus on identifying the movement and load factors contributing to pain so rehabilitation can be effective and long lasting.
What is Bursitis?
Bursitis refers to inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid filled sac that helps reduce friction between tissues. In the foot and ankle, bursitis commonly occurs around areas of repeated pressure or movement, such as:
- The back of the heel
- Around the ankle joint
- Near tendons or bony prominences
Symptoms can fluctuate depending on footwear, activity level and load.
Common symptoms of biomechanical issues and Bursitis
Symptoms may include:
- Localised pain or tenderness
- Swelling or warmth around the affected area
- Pain that worsens with activity or pressure
- Discomfort with certain footwear
- Stiffness or altered movement patterns
Pain often reflects how load is being managed rather than a single injury event.
What causes biomechanical issues and Bursitis?
Inflammation of the heel bursae is most commonly caused by repetitive movements or overuse that cause irritation to the bursae. The condition can be aggravated by pressure, such as tight fitting shoes or due to an impingement on a bony growth on the back of the heel, known as a Haglund’s Deformity.
Biomechanical issues and bursitis may be influenced by:
- Repetitive or excessive loading
- Altered gait or movement patterns
- Foot posture and alignment
- Muscle imbalance or joint stiffness
- Sudden changes in activity or training
- Prolonged pressure from footwear
Understanding these contributors is essential to effective management.
How do we treat it?
The aim of treatment during the acute phase is to reduce pain and swelling. This can be achieved by reducing excessive load to the achilles tendon including the use of heel raises, footwear education, anti–inflammatories and activity modification.
Gradual progressive stretching and strengthening of the calf can help to relieve impingement of the bursae and prevent flare ups.
Our Practitioners with a special interest in Bursitis
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