What is Bursitis
Joints are a very important part of the human body. They have small sacks (bursae) containing synovial fluid, which ensures that an individual can move that particular joint freely. Normally, if the bursa is healthy, it creates a smooth, frictionless, functional gliding process. But, when there is an inflammation of this sack, it is called Bursitis, in medical terms.

Causes of Bursitis's
Bursitis is primarily caused by excessive and repetitive pressure on a specific joint. Bursitis usually affects the elbows and the knees. Shoulder Bursitis can also be caused by over use of the shoulder joints and allied muscles. A major traumatic injury can also cause Bursitis. Inflammation of the bursa irritates, because it does not fit between the bone and the functionary muscle or tendon. Continuous impact on a particular area or a sudden, serious injury can cause Bursitis. However, age is also a significant factor for determining Bursitis. It is an important factor because the constant wear and tear of the tendons over the years reduces the elasticity of the joints. Hence, they cannot take much stress and become prone to tearing.

Some of the activities involving the risk of Bursitis are gardening, carpentry, shoveling, painting, scrubbing and even playing tennis, golf, skiing, throwing and pitching. Bursitis is also caused by poor stretching or conditioning before exercise. It can also result from an incorrect posture at work or home. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders or infections could also lead to Bursitis. The body parts affected by Bursitis are the base of the thumb, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and Achilles tendon. The most common examples of Bursitis are Prepatellar Bursitis, "housemaid's knee", Infrapatellar Bursitis, "clergyman's knee", Trochanteric Bursitis, causing hip pain, Olecranon Bursitis, characterized by pain and swelling in the elbow, and Subacromial Bursitis, which causes shoulder pain.

Symptoms of Bursitis
The most common symptom of Bursitis is pain in the joints. Pain is also experienced around the bursa. However, pain may build up gradually or it could suddenly and severely occur in case of calcium deposits in the bones. Another symptom of Bursitis could be a 'frozen shoulder', where stiffness and loss of motion is experienced in the shoulder. The symptoms can be anything from stiffness and joint pain or it may be a burning pain in the area surrounding the joint, around the swollen bursa.

Treatment of Bursitis
The treatment of Bursitis depends on whether or not it involves any infection. Bursitis which does not involve infection or aseptic Bursitis can be treated by ice compresses, rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers. It might also require aspiration of the bursa fluid, which is the process of sucking the liquid in the bursa through a syringe, under sterile conditions.

Among other methods of treatment, non-infectious Bursitis can be treated by a cortisone injection in the swollen bursa. Infectious Bursitis requires a rigorous treatment. Also called septic Bursitis, infectious Bursitis may require intravenous antibiotic therapy. Steroids and corticosteroids are generally used to reduce the pain and inflammation. Steroids in fact, can be administered or rather injected at the affected spot for instant relief.

Another method for treating Bursitis is physiotherapy, which is often used for frozen shoulder. The last resort could be surgery, in case of no response to other methods of treatment. One should immediately consult a doctor if there is high fever, general illness or multiple points of pain, swelling, redness and inability to move that particular area. These could be signs of other impending problems.

Go slow in case of an activity which aggravates the pain in the concerned joint. By taking proper care of the body parts prone to Bursitis, it can definitely be avoided.

 

  Pes Anserine Bursitis

  Olecranon Bursitis

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