What are Bursitis
The bags are small pockets filled with liquid that protect the underlying structures from excessive friction and stress. Usually the bags are interposed between two tendons, between a bone and a tendon or between these and the overlying skin.
When the bags undergo excessive irritation due to mechanical stress such as rubbing and repeated impacts they can ignite and increase joint friction. These conditions, called bursitis, are divided into two large groups: inflammatory bursitis and hemorrhagic bursitis. The first, more frequent, can be physical (rubbing bursitis), chemical (chemical bursitis), or septic (septic bursitis). The latter instead arise following traumatic events such as falls and accidents.
Some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid or chronic arthritis such as gout can also cause bursitis.
To know more
Shoulder Bursitis Knee Bursitis Elbow Bursitis Bursitis CareInflammatory bursitis
Rubbing bursitis
Bursitis from rubbing or from functional overload are common in athletes and in those who carry out work activities characterized by repeated movements. In these cases the bag on which the tendon rests becomes inflamed due to excessive rubbing and mechanical pressure caused by the movement. For this reason the onset of the disease is generally slow and increasing over time. The rubbing bunions are located mainly in the region of the shoulder, elbow (tennis elbow) of the knee, hip and calcaneal region.
CAUSES
- repeated movements
- shoes too tight
- lack of training
DIAGNOSIS
usually the diagnosis of bursitis is made through an objective (or clinical) examination evaluating the patient's symptoms. Diagnostic investigations such as radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging are not normally necessary but can be carried out to exclude any complications (osee fractures)
SYMPTOMS
To learn more: Symptoms Bursitis
- The inflammation increases the flow of fluid in the bag which becomes swollen and painful on palpation. If the irritation is particularly intense, the overlying skin appears warm, swollen and reddened. The characteristic symptoms of the pathology are therefore:
- swelling
- redness
- local temperature increase
- pain on palpation and sometimes on movement
TREATMENT
If it is not treated properly, the bursitis tends to get worse and eventually develop into rather serious infections. For this reason, the symptoms reported above should not be underestimated.
Initially, rest is the best weapon, therefore we recommend:
- immediately suspend the physical or employment activity that generated it.
- avoid overloading the region, making the external pressures as light as possible and protecting it from any trauma
- apply a compression bandage (loosen it if you feel an annoying tingling, or if the skin takes on a bluish color)
- cool the area by applying ice to the affected area, this treatment will help to reduce swelling and reduce inflammation (4 daily packs of 5-20 minutes for the first 2-3 days)
After three or four days you can apply a hot water bottle to reduce muscle pain and stiffness (15-20 minutes three to four times a day)
If after a week of rest there is no spontaneous regression of symptoms, it is advisable to consult a specialist. The doctor can then decide to:
- aspirate excess liquid
- apply local corticosteroid infiltrations
- prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (to learn more, read: Medicines for Bursitis Care)
- recommend some physical therapies such as ultrasounds, massages and cryotherapy to promote healing
- prescribe antibiotics if the condition is worse (infection and pus formation)
- advise surgical removal operations
Generally the pain begins to decrease after 4-5 days.
The competitive stop period must be prolonged until the complete disappearance of the pain; however, it is important to perform small movements in the various directions starting from the second week to avoid that prolonged immobility tends to "block" the joint, reducing its mobility (to be avoided if the pain has not decreased)
The healing times, except for complications, are usually between 7 and 14 days
PREVENTION
- run on uniform surfaces
- always carry out adequate heating before starting the training session
- alternate gestures and work activities, avoiding the same movement repeatedly
- correct any postural defects
- use appropriate footwear
- avoid excessive efforts not supported by adequate athletic training
Chemical bursitis
Chemical bursitis is caused by the accumulation of substances resulting from inflammation or tendon degenerative processes. The symptoms of the disease resemble those previously described. Being a particularly disabling condition, the treatment is entrusted to the doctor who will try to stop the inflammation by local infiltration or possibly surgically removing the inflamed bag. If left untreated, chemical bursitis can calcify and seriously compromise the functionality of the entire joint.
Septic bursitis
They arise when some bacteria come into contact with the serous bag, for example through a skin lesion. If septic bursitis is diagnosed, it is therefore important to combine the treatments listed above with antibiotic therapy and careful cleaning of the skin with soap and water.
Hemorrhagic bursitis
The haemorrhagic or traumatic bursitis arises following a violent trauma suffered by the joint. The resulting injury can directly or indirectly affect the bag causing blood to spill into it. The blood in turn causes local irritation and in more serious cases it coagulates, increasing friction and favoring calcification.
This condition is more frequent in contact sports such as rugby, basketball and hockey; even students and office workers who keep their elbows on their desk for a long time risk developing the disease in the long run (student's elbow)
Symptoms and treatment are similar to other forms of bursitis; prevention in the sporting and working fields will be mainly directed to the protection of the joints through padded knee pads, elbow pads and wrist bands.
