Bursitis refers to an inflammatory process involving any of the more than 150 bursae throughout the human body and may be caused by infection, trauma, rheumatologic diseases, or crystal deposition. Certain repetitive activities also may precipitate bursitis: “carpet layer's knee” (prepatellar bursitis) or “student's elbow” (olecranon bursitis). A suspicion for septic bursitis, especially in olecranon bursitis, necessitates aspiration of bursal fluid. Septic bursal fluid characteristically is purulent in appearance, with more than 1500 mm3 (mean 75,000, typically >30,000 leukocytes/mm3) and positive culture. Treatment principles include drainage, rest, compressive dressing, analgesics, and antibiotics for septic bursitis. Septic bursitis generally responds well to oral antibiotics, with emphasis on coverage of Staphylococcus (including MRSA) and Streptococcus species.