Bursitis treatment

        Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a small bag with lining fluid that lubricates the area where joint elements (including bone, tendon, ligament, muscle or skin) rub each other. Bursitis treatment most often includes rest, ice and the use of analgesics. In bursitis treatment patient should follow these steps:

• Must rest.
• A normal sleep schedule must be respected.
• Application of ice or cold packs as soon as the pain or pressure sensation in the muscles or joints near occurs: apply ice for 10-15 minutes, twice per hour usually over 72 hours, and continue to apply ice (15-20 minutes three times a day) until pain is reduced.
• Administration of analgesics: use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Gradual resumption of activity: heat must be performed before and after stretching, strength and effort will be increased gradually and you should stop exercising if pain occurs.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking interferes with collagen production, which is necessary to healing wounds and tissue.

Bursitis treatment if the condition gets worse

       Bursitis treatment with corticosteroid injections is used to reduce inflammation. Bursitis may recur if the patient doesn't makes stretching exercises or if he doesn't change how it performs certain activities. The specialist may also recommend physical therapy.

Bursitis pictures

        ...see more Bursitis pictures: Bursitis pictures

       In order to prevent recurrence or the appearance of bursitis:

• The activities that tend to aggravate symptoms will be replaced.
• If the patient is at a desk for too long, he must stand up and walk a few steps each time (a state in the same position for too long can cause bursitis).
• If a sport can cause bursitis, patients should have a personal trainer or a person who is familiar with that sport or equipment. The equipment must be checked to ensure the patient that it is appropriate for the size, strength and ability of the patient.

       Bursitis is located throughout the body, inside and on joints and other places where there is risk of friction or pressure. Bursitis can occur anywhere in the body where there is a bursa and inflammation causes fluid. This condition is often painful. Bursitis can affect anyone but those who perform repetitive actions at work, during sports activities or daily activities have a higher risk. It is likely that some of the everyday activities such as tool use, gardening or cooking have need of performing repetitive movements. Also continue pressure on certain areas increases the risk of bursitis. For example, workers who build a roof, those who are standing on hard surfaces a long time or those working in the knees all day can develop bursitis.

       Bursitis is caused by strain and repetitive movements, a sudden injury (often easier), long periods of pressure exerted on an area or aging and gradual degeneration of the bursa. Bursitis can be caused by systemic diseases such as septic arthritis, infection (septic bursitis) or trauma (traumatic bursitis).

Bursitis symptoms

       The specific symptoms of bursitis depends on the location of the inflammation, but in general are characterized by:

• Pain when moving or touching the inflamed joint
• Limitation of movement

       Bursitis is most common in the shoulder, but may occur on the elbows, hips, pelvis, knees, toes and heels.

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Trochanteric bursitis

       Trochanteric bursitis is characterized by pain over the region of the greater trochanter. It may be marked with adduction and external rotation of the hip. The low elasticity (elongation) of the iliotibial tract may contribute to the onset of bursitis. Another proposed mechanism is the acute trauma in the region. Some sports that can cause trochanteric bursitis are: running, cycling, dancing and racquet sports.

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Ischial bursitis

        Ischial bursitis is almost always present in people who are sitting too long. In athletes it is caused by direct trauma to the region.

        The athlete can experience pain during walking when the hip is in flexion. Climbing stairs, walking and climbing terrain can also produce pain. Initially the treatment of ischial bursitis consists in local application of ice, anti-inflammatory, stretching and strengthening. Before the athlete returns to training and competitions he should make specific functional tests.

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Shoulder bursitis

       Shoulder pain radiating to the middle portion of the arm, usually worse with activities that require lifting the arms (teachers, painters, porters), with strenuous exercise (volleyball, swimming) and at night, when you extend the arm along the bed, stretching the already inflamed tendons. In about 70% of cases, clinical treatment with drugs and physiotherapy relieve the symptoms.

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Knee bursitis or pes anserine bursitis

        ...read more about Knee bursitis: Knee bursitis

       The pes anserine bursa is located inside the knee, just below its articulation. Pain on the inside of the knee, just below the joint, which can be felt when bending or stretching the leg, is usually accompanied by edema. Knee bursitis treatment and diagnosis is made by examination. The physician examines the knee in search of pain and edema in the region of pes anserine bursa.