Can bursitis cause an infection?

Sometimes: Bursitis is inflammation in a fluid filled sac that typically sits between bone and muscle to reduce friction. We have bursae in our shoulders, elbows, knees and hips. If the bursa gets irritated it can become inflammed and fill with fluid. That is bursitis. Occasionally (but not often), a bursa can get infected. This is most common in the elbow and knee.

Infection causes it: Bursitis may be caused by an infection, termed septic bursitis. However, most cases of bursitis are inflammatory, not infectious. Bursitis does not actually cause an infection.