Bursitis can be caused by repetitive motions of the related joint. Certain motions and positions can also put excessive stress on the bursae. That includes things like:
- Kneeling for extended periods
- Repeatedly lifting objects over your head
- Leaning on your elbows for extended periods
In addition, there are a few more ways your bursae can become inflamed, including:
- Hitting a joint against an object
- Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Bacterial infections