Whether you are a professional baseball pitcher or struggling to reach the top cabinet, shoulder surgery can significantly affect your movement abilities and daily comfort. If you are searching for an “orthopedic surgeon near me,” Dr. Michael Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group help residents of Pennsylvania recover from conditions of the shoulder and elbow.

We understand how much shoulder pain can deter movement of the arms. Eating, driving, cleaning, and exercise can become burdens, among many other everyday activities. To ensure our patients receive our focused attention, Dr. Bercik and our team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group exclusively focus on the shoulder and elbow conditions. Dr. Bercik has dedicated himself to learning the most modern techniques in this space and has trained under some of the most influential shoulder surgeons in the world, including Dr. Gilles Walch.

Dr. Bercik has sought excellence in all of his endeavors, including his residence and treatment of patients. In recognition of this, he was awarded the Mark D Chilton award for outstanding patient care and the Orthopaedic In-training Examination award for being the highest scorer in his residency.

Bursitis Frequency Asked Questions

How is Bursitis Caused?

Shoulder bursitis is caused by inflammation of the bursae, which are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint and prevent rubbing between different structures. Bursitis typically develops through injuries but may also develop with age or genetics.

Common reasons for bursitis to develop include:

• Repeated overhead movements. Repeated overhead movements can lead to an irritated bursa, especially over time. This is common in sports with activities such as:
  • Repeated throwing
  • Serving a tennis ball
  • Walking or running long distances
  • Bicycling
  • Crawling

• Minor impacts. Contact sports or an accidental bump in your daily life can lead to an inflamed bursa.

• Acute trauma. Impacts, such as from falls and vehicle crashes, can lead to tears and ruptures in the soft tissues and swelling and inflammation of the bursa.

• Individual anatomy. Bursitis can be caused by genetic misalignments that cause rubbing and irritation between structures in the body.
• Infections. In some cases, such as for those with a weakened immune system, cuts or scrapes can lead to irritation of the bursa.
• Surgery. Surgery can lead to inflammation of the bursa if surrounding soft tissues are damaged and inflamed.
• Age. People over 40 are at an increased risk for bursitis.

What Activities are High Risk for Bursitis? 

The most common cause for bursitis is overuse of the area, especially in athletes or those over 40. Poor posture or poor physical condition also increases the risk (stretching is important!).

Household activities at the highest risk for bursitis include gardening, carpentry, house painting, plumbing, scrubbing floors, playing instruments, and yard work such as raking.

Sports such as cycling, golf, tennis, racquetball, running, weightlifting, skiing, baseball, softball, football, and javelin are also high risk. 

Where Does Bursitis Occur in the Body?

Bursitis can occur anywhere there are bursae. This includes the elbows, shoulders, wrists, heels, hips, knees, and ankles.

Let’s Get Started!

Nobody should struggle with daily tasks, and an experienced shoulder doctor can help you decide the best path to recovery and improve the quality of everyday life. To make your first appointment today, click the “Schedule An Appointment” link in the top right of the website or call (866) 564-1000.