Causes. The majority of bursitis cases are caused by repetitive positions or movements that inflict irritation on the bursae surrounding a joint. For instance, repeatedly leaning on the elbows for prolonged periods, lifting something above your head or throwing a ball, sitting for long periods on hard surfaces, or constantly sitting on your knees to scrub floors or lay carpet are all examples. There are other causes such as inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid, injury to the affected region, infection, and gout.
