Symptoms and treatment of bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of one or more synovial bags (bursae) in the joint area. The bursa cavity is covered with a synovial membrane that secretes a lubricating fluid. There are about 160 synovial bags in the human body. In case of bursa inflammation of any localization, for example, with bursitis of the ankle joint, the slightest movement causes pain.
Symptoms of bursitis vary from erythema to swelling, severe pain in the joint, and the spread of inflammation to nearby tissues. The pain usually worsens during and after loading the joint.
Causes of elbow bursitis
Inflammation can be caused by:
- trauma;
- autoimmune disease;
- infectious process;
- iatrogenic factor.
Bursitis often develops with the same repeated movements and/or excessive load on the joint. So, sports (tennis, golf, hockey), work as a jeweler, engraver, or watchmaker can cause bursitis of the elbow joint. Patients suffering from arthrosis and gout are prone to bursitis of the elbow joint.
Bursitis can be non-specific or specific (brucellosis, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilitic). Symptoms and treatment of bursitis do not depend on the localization of the inflammatory process, but are determined by the stage of the disease. Acute bursitis is characterized by sharp pain that worsens with movement. Serous exudate accumulates in the cavity of the bag. Purulent bursitis develops in the presence of microbial flora. Treatment of purulent bursitis is carried out taking into account the sensitivity of the microflora to antibiotics.
After several attacks of acute bursitis, the disease can progress to a chronic stage. In this case, the pain is less pronounced, but joint stiffness appears, since calcium deposits often form in the synovial bag.
Bursitis of the feet and heels
Inflammation in this area is caused by:
- constant increased loads (in weightlifters, patients with excess body weight);
- congenital anomalies of the foot (valgus deformity of the big toe, flat feet);
- traumatic injuries of the foot (deep wounds/cuts in the area of synovial bags);
- foot arthritis;
- chronic inflammatory processes (abscesses, boils).
Bursitis of the big toe can appear in women who prefer shoes with high heels. However, a completely flat sole is also a provoking factor in the development of inflammation of the synovial bag. Bursitis of the feet and heels can be the result of constant wearing of improperly selected shoes. The unnatural position of the foot causes deformation of the synovial bag, due to which the inflammatory process develops. Achilles bursitis (heel) is an inflammation of the synovial bag located between the Achilles tendon and the bone. One of the causes of the disease is traumatization of the synovial bag by the hard heel of the shoe.
Bursitis of the knee joint
Suprapatellar bursitis of the knee joint is usually the result of injuries, excessive loads on the joint during work or sports.
Symptoms of knee bursitis:
- localized soft tumor;
- pain in the knee when walking or running;
- pain increases during palpation;
- pain at rest.
Treatment of suprapatellar and prepatellar bursitis occurs according to the same scheme. In the first 24-48 hours of the disease, rest and a cold compress on the knee are indicated. The doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs. Aspiration of the exudate can be performed, followed by washing the cavity with an antibiotic solution. With purulent bursitis, dissection of the joint bag and removal of pus is indicated.
Hip bursitis
The main symptom of bursitis of the hip joint is pain that spreads to the outer surface of the thigh. In the early stages, the pain is usually described as sharp and intense, which is aggravated by prolonged walking, climbing stairs, and squatting.
Triggers for the development of hip bursitis:
- injury in the area of the hip joint;
- diseases of the spine (scoliosis, osteochondrosis);
- different leg lengths;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- implants in the area of the hip joint.
To relieve pain, doctors prescribe a course of NSAIDs, physiotherapeutic procedures. Aspiration and drainage of the bursa may be necessary. If the inflammatory process and pain are not relieved by conservative treatment methods, surgical removal of the synovial bag is performed.
Operation for bursitis of the hip joint (bursectomy) is performed both traditionally and arthroscopically - through small incisions in the hip area. Arthroscopic surgery is less invasive, so the risk of complications is reduced and the healing period is faster.
Read about how to treat bursitis of the shoulder joint on our website Dobrobut.com.
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