About Bursitis
Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa. The bursa is a sac filled with lubricating fluid, located between tissues. It acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, joints and muscles and helps to prevent friction and irritation.
There are about 160 bursae in the human body. The bursae are lined with synovial cells. Which produce a lubricant that reduces friction. This cushioning and lubrication allows our joints to move easily. When a person has bursitis – inflammation of the bursa – movement or pressure is painful.
What Causes Bursitis?
In most cases, bursitis is caused by repetitive, minor impact on the area, or from a sudden injury. Age can also plays a role, because as our tendons age they become less elastic and are more prone to injury.
Parts of the Body Affected
Although any bursa can become affected, these are the most common places where bursitis may occur:
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Ankle
- Knee
- Buttocks
- Hip
- Thigh
Symptoms of Bursitis
If a person has bursitis, they may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain – the pain increases with movement or pressure
- Tenderness is felt even without movement
- Swelling
- Loss of movement
Treatment
Bursitis can affect multiple parts of the body and come with very painful symptoms. The condition is particularly common among athletes and people with jobs that require manual work for extended periods of time. A few ways to ease the symptoms include:
- Resting
Giving even a short break to the injured area will help to relieve the pressure from the joint and ease the pain slightly. - Applying Ice
Apply ice for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain. - Anti-Inflammatory Medicine
Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can help reduce the pain and inflammation.
If you are suffering from joint pain, it is best to consult with a doctor. Depending on the severity of the condition, we may recommend Physical Therapy. Slowly building up your joint and muscle strength through physical therapy or daily exercise can help ease or eliminate the symptoms of bursitis. Contact the specialists at Hampton Roads Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine for more information.
