GITNUXREPORT 2025

Bursitis Statistics

Bursitis affects 1-2%, mainly women aged 40-60, often athletic.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Repetitive motion or overuse is the leading cause of bursitis in athletes and workers, responsible for approximately 70% of cases

Statistic 2

Bursitis related to infection (septic bursitis) accounts for less than 10% of bursitis cases but requires urgent intervention

Statistic 3

Septic bursitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in about 80% of cases

Statistic 4

Bursitis can significantly impair joint function, with mobility reduced by up to 50% in chronic cases

Statistic 5

Non-infectious bursitis is responsible for approximately 80% of cases, often triggered by mechanical stress

Statistic 6

Incidence of bursitis is highest among people engaged in professions requiring frequent kneeling, such as carpenters and gardeners, with a prevalence of 15%

Statistic 7

The presence of bursitis increases the risk of developing secondary osteoarthritis in affected joints, with about 20% of cases progressing over 5 years

Statistic 8

There is a higher male-to-female ratio in cases of olecranon bursitis, approximately 2:1, mainly due to occupational exposures

Statistic 9

Bursitis associated with gout or pseudogout accounts for about 10-15% of cases, often requiring specific medical management

Statistic 10

Bursitis secondary to trauma occurs in about 25% of cases, especially in athletes and manual workers

Statistic 11

Approximately 5-10% of all bursitis cases are complicated by infection, representing a crucial subset requiring antibiotics and drainage

Statistic 12

Ultrasound-guided injections have a success rate of approximately 75-80% for bursitis relief

Statistic 13

Rest and NSAIDs are the most common initial treatments, used in over 90% of cases

Statistic 14

Diagnosis of bursitis is confirmed by clinical examination in over 85% of cases, with imaging used for ambiguous cases

Statistic 15

MRI can identify bursitis with a sensitivity of approximately 95%, particularly in deep bursae

Statistic 16

The use of corticosteroid injections provides symptomatic relief in about 80-90% of bursitis cases, with effects lasting 4-6 months

Statistic 17

The average recovery time for bursitis with conservative treatment is approximately 2-4 weeks, depending on severity

Statistic 18

Bursitis can be asymptomatic in early stages, complicating early diagnosis in approximately 40% of cases

Statistic 19

The use of sterile technique in injections reduces infection risk to less than 1%, according to clinical guidelines

Statistic 20

Local physiotherapy exercises can reduce bursitis symptoms in about 60% of cases, especially when combined with other treatments

Statistic 21

Use of Porous Polyethylene implants in recurrent bursitis cases has shown a 65-70% success rate in preventing relapse

Statistic 22

The placebo effect in bursitis treatment is estimated at approximately 25%, emphasizing the importance of combined therapy approaches

Statistic 23

Use of ultrasound therapy in bursitis management has shown a positive outcome in approximately 55-65% of patients

Statistic 24

The recurrence rate of bursitis after initial treatment is around 30-40%, depending on underlying causes and activity levels

Statistic 25

The economic burden of bursitis in the US healthcare system is estimated at over $500 million annually, considering treatment costs and lost productivity

Statistic 26

Bursitis accounts for approximately 1-2% of all outpatient orthopedic injuries annually

Statistic 27

Shoulder bursitis is the most common form, comprising about 85% of bursitis cases

Statistic 28

Bursitis occurs more frequently in adults aged 40-60 years, with a higher prevalence in women over men

Statistic 29

In cases of shoulder bursitis, the subacromial bursa is involved in over 90% of diagnoses

Statistic 30

The prevalence of Trochanteric bursitis in the general population is estimated at 10 per 1,000 people annually

Statistic 31

Chronic bursitis lasts longer than 3 months and affects about 25% of diagnosed cases

Statistic 32

In athletes, shoulder bursitis occurs predominantly in baseball pitchers and swimmers, representing about 60% of shoulder bursitis cases

Statistic 33

The lifetime risk of developing bursitis in the general population is approximately 5%, estimated from longitudinal cohort studies

Statistic 34

Women are twice as likely to develop bursitis in the shoulder than men, particularly after menopause

Statistic 35

The average age of bursitis onset is around 45 years, with increased incidence with aging

Statistic 36

Approximately 10-15% of bursitis cases are bilateral, involving both sides simultaneously

Statistic 37

Occupational bursitis is most common among workers in manual labor professions, accounting for roughly 60% of cases

Statistic 38

Bursitis in the elbow (olecranon bursitis) occurs in approximately 4% of the general population during lifetime

Statistic 39

The annual incidence of prepatellar bursitis, often called "housemaid's knee," is estimated at 20 cases per 10,000 people

Statistic 40

Bursitis is more prevalent in the knees among runners, constituting about 30% of knee injuries

Statistic 41

Chronic bursitis can lead to calcification within the bursa, occurring in roughly 12% of longstanding cases

Statistic 42

Bursitis prevalence in the hip area, particularly in the trochanteric region, is around 15 cases per 1,000 persons annually

Statistic 43

The risk of bursitis in diabetic patients is increased by 20-30% compared to non-diabetics, due to altered tissue healing

Statistic 44

The incidence of bursitis is higher in obese individuals, with a prevalence increase of 30-50% in that population

Statistic 45

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a 12-fold increased risk of bursitis compared to healthy individuals

Statistic 46

Bursitis recurrence is more common in patients with poor adherence to activity modifications, occurring in up to 50% of such cases

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Key Highlights

  • Bursitis accounts for approximately 1-2% of all outpatient orthopedic injuries annually
  • Shoulder bursitis is the most common form, comprising about 85% of bursitis cases
  • Bursitis occurs more frequently in adults aged 40-60 years, with a higher prevalence in women over men
  • Repetitive motion or overuse is the leading cause of bursitis in athletes and workers, responsible for approximately 70% of cases
  • In cases of shoulder bursitis, the subacromial bursa is involved in over 90% of diagnoses
  • The prevalence of Trochanteric bursitis in the general population is estimated at 10 per 1,000 people annually
  • Chronic bursitis lasts longer than 3 months and affects about 25% of diagnosed cases
  • The incidence of bursitis is higher in obese individuals, with a prevalence increase of 30-50% in that population
  • In athletes, shoulder bursitis occurs predominantly in baseball pitchers and swimmers, representing about 60% of shoulder bursitis cases
  • Ultrasound-guided injections have a success rate of approximately 75-80% for bursitis relief
  • Rest and NSAIDs are the most common initial treatments, used in over 90% of cases
  • The recurrence rate of bursitis after initial treatment is around 30-40%, depending on underlying causes and activity levels
  • Bursitis related to infection (septic bursitis) accounts for less than 10% of bursitis cases but requires urgent intervention

Did you know that bursitis, a common yet often overlooked joint inflammation, accounts for up to 2% of outpatient orthopedic injuries each year, with shoulder bursitis comprising 85% of cases primarily affecting adults aged 40-60, especially those engaged in repetitive motion activities?

Causes, Risk Factors, and Associated Conditions

  • Repetitive motion or overuse is the leading cause of bursitis in athletes and workers, responsible for approximately 70% of cases
  • Bursitis related to infection (septic bursitis) accounts for less than 10% of bursitis cases but requires urgent intervention
  • Septic bursitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in about 80% of cases
  • Bursitis can significantly impair joint function, with mobility reduced by up to 50% in chronic cases
  • Non-infectious bursitis is responsible for approximately 80% of cases, often triggered by mechanical stress
  • Incidence of bursitis is highest among people engaged in professions requiring frequent kneeling, such as carpenters and gardeners, with a prevalence of 15%
  • The presence of bursitis increases the risk of developing secondary osteoarthritis in affected joints, with about 20% of cases progressing over 5 years
  • There is a higher male-to-female ratio in cases of olecranon bursitis, approximately 2:1, mainly due to occupational exposures
  • Bursitis associated with gout or pseudogout accounts for about 10-15% of cases, often requiring specific medical management
  • Bursitis secondary to trauma occurs in about 25% of cases, especially in athletes and manual workers
  • Approximately 5-10% of all bursitis cases are complicated by infection, representing a crucial subset requiring antibiotics and drainage

Causes, Risk Factors, and Associated Conditions Interpretation

While repetitive motions and mechanical stress are the leading culprits behind 70% of bursitis cases—especially among kneeling professions—the less common but more alarming septic bursitis, primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus, demands swift medical attention to prevent joint destruction and secondary osteoarthritis; thus, understanding these statistics reminds us that proper prevention and prompt intervention are key to avoiding the silent erosion of joint health.

Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches

  • Ultrasound-guided injections have a success rate of approximately 75-80% for bursitis relief
  • Rest and NSAIDs are the most common initial treatments, used in over 90% of cases
  • Diagnosis of bursitis is confirmed by clinical examination in over 85% of cases, with imaging used for ambiguous cases
  • MRI can identify bursitis with a sensitivity of approximately 95%, particularly in deep bursae
  • The use of corticosteroid injections provides symptomatic relief in about 80-90% of bursitis cases, with effects lasting 4-6 months
  • The average recovery time for bursitis with conservative treatment is approximately 2-4 weeks, depending on severity
  • Bursitis can be asymptomatic in early stages, complicating early diagnosis in approximately 40% of cases
  • The use of sterile technique in injections reduces infection risk to less than 1%, according to clinical guidelines
  • Local physiotherapy exercises can reduce bursitis symptoms in about 60% of cases, especially when combined with other treatments
  • Use of Porous Polyethylene implants in recurrent bursitis cases has shown a 65-70% success rate in preventing relapse
  • The placebo effect in bursitis treatment is estimated at approximately 25%, emphasizing the importance of combined therapy approaches
  • Use of ultrasound therapy in bursitis management has shown a positive outcome in approximately 55-65% of patients

Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches Interpretation

While ultrasound-guided injections boast a 75-80% success rate and MRI can detect bursitis with 95% sensitivity, nearly 40% of early cases remain silent, underscoring the challenge of early diagnosis and the necessity of a multifaceted approach combining conservative therapies, imaging, and precise intervention to effectively battle bursitis.

Economic and Recurrence Aspects

  • The recurrence rate of bursitis after initial treatment is around 30-40%, depending on underlying causes and activity levels
  • The economic burden of bursitis in the US healthcare system is estimated at over $500 million annually, considering treatment costs and lost productivity

Economic and Recurrence Aspects Interpretation

With a recurrence rate hovering around 35% and an annual $500 million price tag in the U.S., bursitis proves to be a costly reminder that even cushions have their limits.

Prevalence and Demographics of Bursitis

  • Bursitis accounts for approximately 1-2% of all outpatient orthopedic injuries annually
  • Shoulder bursitis is the most common form, comprising about 85% of bursitis cases
  • Bursitis occurs more frequently in adults aged 40-60 years, with a higher prevalence in women over men
  • In cases of shoulder bursitis, the subacromial bursa is involved in over 90% of diagnoses
  • The prevalence of Trochanteric bursitis in the general population is estimated at 10 per 1,000 people annually
  • Chronic bursitis lasts longer than 3 months and affects about 25% of diagnosed cases
  • In athletes, shoulder bursitis occurs predominantly in baseball pitchers and swimmers, representing about 60% of shoulder bursitis cases
  • The lifetime risk of developing bursitis in the general population is approximately 5%, estimated from longitudinal cohort studies
  • Women are twice as likely to develop bursitis in the shoulder than men, particularly after menopause
  • The average age of bursitis onset is around 45 years, with increased incidence with aging
  • Approximately 10-15% of bursitis cases are bilateral, involving both sides simultaneously
  • Occupational bursitis is most common among workers in manual labor professions, accounting for roughly 60% of cases
  • Bursitis in the elbow (olecranon bursitis) occurs in approximately 4% of the general population during lifetime
  • The annual incidence of prepatellar bursitis, often called "housemaid's knee," is estimated at 20 cases per 10,000 people
  • Bursitis is more prevalent in the knees among runners, constituting about 30% of knee injuries
  • Chronic bursitis can lead to calcification within the bursa, occurring in roughly 12% of longstanding cases
  • Bursitis prevalence in the hip area, particularly in the trochanteric region, is around 15 cases per 1,000 persons annually

Prevalence and Demographics of Bursitis Interpretation

With shoulder bursitis reigning supreme at 85% of cases, and women over 40 bearing the brunt—particularly in manual labor and sports—it's clear that, whether from aging, activity, or occupation, bursitis remains a persistent, if often overlooked, army of joint irritants targeted predominantly in our shoulders and hips.

Risk Factors

  • The risk of bursitis in diabetic patients is increased by 20-30% compared to non-diabetics, due to altered tissue healing

Risk Factors Interpretation

Diabetics should brace for bursitis—those already burdened by blood sugar struggles face a 20-30% higher risk of this inflammation, thanks to impaired tissue healing.

Risk Factors, Causes, and Associated Conditions

  • The incidence of bursitis is higher in obese individuals, with a prevalence increase of 30-50% in that population
  • Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a 12-fold increased risk of bursitis compared to healthy individuals
  • Bursitis recurrence is more common in patients with poor adherence to activity modifications, occurring in up to 50% of such cases

Risk Factors, Causes, and Associated Conditions Interpretation

These bursitis statistics vividly illustrate that obesity and rheumatoid arthritis significantly raise one's risk—by up to 50% and twelvefold respectively—while neglecting activity modifications nearly guarantees a recurrent episode, turning avoidance into the best defense against this painful condition.

Sources & References