Septic Bursitis

Septic bursitis (infectious bursitis) is an infection of the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion and lubricate an area where tissues-including bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, or skin-rub against one another. Common sites of septic bursitis are the tips of the elbows and the kneecaps.

It may be hard to tell the difference between inflammation in a bursa (bursitis) and infection in a bursa (septic bursitis). Symptoms of septic bursitis may include:

• Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the area of the infected bursa.
• Fever.
• Swollen glands near the infected bursa.

Antibiotics and drainage (either drainage with a needle or, sometimes, surgical drainage) are required to treat the infection. Sometimes this requires a hospital stay for intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy or surgery.