If you have psoriatic arthritis, you may also be dealing with bursitis, a painful condition in which the bursae — small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near joints — become inflamed, swollen, and painful. The pain may be worse when you move the affected joint or press on it.

According to Mayo Clinic, bursitis commonly affects the shoulders and hips but can also lead to pain in the elbows, knees, heels, and the base of the big toes. It often happens near joints you tend to use — or overuse — in making repetitive motions.

While bursitis and psoriatic arthritis have some similar symptoms — including joint pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion — and they can occur together, they are two separate conditions.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory autoimmune condition characterized by a wide array of musculoskeletal manifestations, such as synovitis (swelling of the connective tissue that lines the joints), dactylitis (sausage-like swelling in the fingers and toes), enthesitis (inflammation where the tendon or ligament meets bone), and spondylitis (inflammation of the spine), notes Zhanna Mikulik, MD, an associate professor and the codirector of the psoriatic clinic at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

To diagnose bursitis, doctors rely on medical history and a physical exam, notes Mayo Clinic. Imaging tests and lab tests may also be involved.

“A thorough medical history, with particular attention to a history of skin disease, description of involved joints, physical exam, imaging, and laboratory testing will help distinguish between [bursitis and psoriatic arthritis],” says Mikulik.

Treatment of bursitis depends on the area involved, says Mikulik. “Usually, initial therapy includes exercise and activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or a glucocorticoid injection.”

Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers may be enough — along with avoiding the activity that caused the bursitis. Icing the area within the first two days of symptoms can alleviate swelling, notes Mayo Clinic. (Don’t apply ice directly to your skin; always be sure to wrap an ice pack in a thin, soft cloth.) After that, apply a cold compress to the area for 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day. You might alternate that with a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, notes Cleveland Clinic.

RELATED: 10 Hot and Cold Therapy Tips to Tame Joint Pain

Physical therapy and exercise can strengthen the muscles around the affected joint.

If the bursitis doesn’t resolve itself, a corticosteroid injection in the affected area can alleviate pain and inflammation.

And if you have psoriatic arthritis, especially if your disease is not well controlled, optimizing your PsA treatment is also necessary.

If bursitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. A surgical procedure called a bursectomy may be needed to drain and remove the infected bursae, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Some modifications to your activities and the way you move your body can reduce your risk of bursitis. The following can help:

• Take breaks when you’re performing repetitive movements.
• Use padding to protect your knees when you’re kneeling; for example, try a kneeling cushion if you like to garden.
• If you need to pick up heavy objects, be sure to bend your knees as you lift to avoid putting pressure on the bursae in your hips.
• Don't carry heavy items that can hurt your shoulders; try using a cart instead.
• Warm up before exercise to protect your joints from injury, advises Mayo Clinic.