Pain in the joint, hyperemia of the skin over the joint, swelling in most cases are symptoms of a disease called bursitis.
Tablets, ointments, compresses - all this is widely used as a treatment for bursitis. Treatment measures must be started immediately after the diagnosis is confirmed, otherwise the disease will become chronic.
Bursitis is an inflammatory process that affects the synovial bursa, which is located in the joint. In Latin "bursa" means "bag". The essence of the disease is that exudative fluid begins to accumulate in the synovial bursa due to the inflammatory processes occurring in it.
The pathology can be localized in any joint of the body. However, there are a number of places in which the development of bursitis is most typical. These include the following joints:
Small joints located between the bones of the foot or hand can also be damaged, but this phenomenon is much less common.
With the development of bursitis, the normal structure of the joint capsule is disrupted. In a healthy joint, it covers bone formations and ligaments, forming a protective shell and reducing the risk of injury to the elements. The joint capsule contains synovial fluid, which softens friction.
When microorganisms enter the joint capsule, they begin to multiply in the synovial fluid, which leads to the development of inflammation. In response to this, plasma proteins and specific protective cells - neutrophils and lymphocytes - begin to be filtered from the patient’s blood. Their effect supports the development of the inflammatory response. Externally, this process manifests itself as symptoms of bursitis.
The causes of the disease are:
In addition, doctors identify a number of pathologies that do not directly affect the condition of the joint capsules, but at the same time indirectly contribute to the development of their infectious lesions through a decrease in immunity and a general metabolic disorder in the body. Such diseases include:
Bursitis is an insidious disease. This pathology can be directly related to infections such as:
Depending on the stage of development of the disease and the nature of the synovial fluid inside the joint, bursitis can be classified into several main forms.
Initially, with acute bursitis, the joint tissues are saturated with serous fluid. At the same time, plasma proteins leave the blood, and the synovial fluid becomes yellowish and cloudy. At this stage, bursitis is called serous.
If at the same time a large amount of fibrin protein is filtered into the joint cavity, then a white film is deposited on the surfaces of bones and cartilage. This type of bursitis is called fibrinous bursitis. The listed forms can be combined with each other, as a result of which the patient develops a serous-fibrinous form of the disease.
After this, exudative fluid begins to accumulate in the joint capsule. Over time, not only proteins begin to flow from the blood, but also immune cells that fight the proliferation of microorganisms. At the same time, the remains of dead bacteria and leukocytes begin to accumulate in the synovial cavity. They form pus that fills the internal capsule of the joint. The patient develops purulent bursitis.
This form of the disease is characterized by the most severe course. It is characterized by a number of serious complications. If a patient has purulent bursitis, then pus can break into the joint cavity, forming purulent arthritis. Pus may form an external fistula or penetrate into nearby tissue.
Over time, with a prolonged course of the disease, not only leukocytes, but also erythrocytes begin to flow from the blood into the joint cavity. The synovial fluid turns red. This form of bursitis is called hemorrhagic. It also has a severe course and is poorly tolerated by patients.
Symptoms include the following:
In addition, an important symptom of the disease is limited mobility in the joint in which the pathological process develops.
Upon palpation, the doctor may detect round, mobile formations. If microelements have been deposited in the synovial bursa, then upon palpation they will have a hard consistency, similar in structure to bone. This indicates the development of calcareous bursitis.
Treatment is carried out with medications in combination with puncture of the affected joint. Constant trauma to the joint and regular heavy physical activity can lead to thickening of the joint capsule. Mobility in the joint is limited, and relapses occur frequently.
Initially, the doctor interviews the patient and palpates the affected joint. Bursitis can be diagnosed using the following examination methods:
The better the examination, the more effectively the disease will be treated. Treatment of bursitis is most often carried out using a conservative method. The most important criterion in the course of treatment is the rest of the joint. The patient should remain in bed to reduce pain in the joint, while preventing the spread of the inflammatory process. The doctor may place a cast on the affected joint to prevent the patient from causing any movement in it. Bursitis can be treated both in the hospital and at home.
Drug treatment of this disease includes taking drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect. The following are used as external ointments:
Tablets cannot cure bursitis completely. They only relieve pain and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Complex treatment of this disease is considered the most effective. The tablets should be taken in combination with physiotherapeutic methods of therapy and compresses.
If bursitis is accompanied by unbearable, acute pain in the affected joint, then the doctor may give a hormonal injection into the joint capsule. Hormone medications are usually combined with antibiotics. Hormones often have side effects on the body and do not help strengthen one’s own immunity. The body must repair itself, so modern medicine directs all efforts to stimulate the development of local and general immunity.
Each joint in the body has its own specific treatment. Knee joints are considered very vulnerable. They have three articular capsules. Any of them may well undergo an inflammatory process.
If a patient is diagnosed with “suprapatellar bursitis,” then treatment is possible only in a hospital setting. Therapeutic measures are carried out only with medications. The doctor may prescribe a puncture of the joint capsule and rinse the joint cavity with drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
A chronic disease is pes anserine bursitis. As treatment, the patient uses anti-inflammatory drugs and applies cold compresses. If the pain does not go away, the doctor prescribes the injection of hormones into the joint. Bursitis of the anserine foot is observed mainly in people with large body weight.
The most severe one is bursitis of the hip joints. Not only the joint itself swells, but also the greater trochanter. This disease is also called “vertical bursitis”. Drug treatment of hip bursitis is carried out in combination with therapeutic exercises to strengthen the hip muscles.
Elbow bursitis develops over a long period of time. Swelling appears around the synovial bursa and pain when pressing on the affected joint. Effective use of traditional methods of therapy.
An inflammatory process in a joint can occur as a result of trauma and infection, frequent physical activity. stress, various diseases.
The last resort for treating bursitis is surgery. The operation is indicated for purulent inflammation of the joint capsule. During surgery, the bag is opened, washed out of pus, and then antibiotics are given.
Physical therapy is prescribed in conjunction with medication. As a rule, it is aimed at strengthening the muscular system. The doctor may prescribe physiotherapeutic treatment, which is based on:
Non-traditional treatment methods are:
Bursitis can also be treated using traditional methods. This is especially true in cases where there is moderate bursitis, which does not require surgical treatment. The most common methods of traditional medicine are:
Before starting unconventional treatment methods, you should consult your doctor, as there are contraindications to these methods. For example, if bursitis is caused by infectious agents, complications in the form of sepsis may develop.
The use of compresses depends on the degree of the inflammatory process. Warm compresses are recommended for moderate pain. In the acute stage of the disease, their use is strictly prohibited due to the fact that they can spread the inflammatory process, thereby aggravating the situation.
Heated sugar or salt can be used as a warm compress. Products need to be poured into a bag and applied to the joint. To keep the heat as long as possible, you can wrap the compress with the joint in cling film.
Compresses made from fresh vegetables have a fairly good effect. The recipe is suggested as follows:
Drug treatment can be combined with taking herbal decoctions. The following types of herbs relieve swelling well:
You need to take their decoctions and infusions 100 ml 3 times a day. You can take brewed celery seeds as tea. In order to prepare tea, you need to take 1 tbsp. seeds and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The infusion should be taken for no more than 14 days, 2 times a day.
Thus, bursitis is a serious disease that only progresses over time. If symptoms of this pathology appear, you cannot ignore them; it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, as this will ensure a speedy recovery.
It is worth remembering that self-medication with such a serious illness is unacceptable. Traditional methods of treatment can be effective, but only as part of a comprehensive treatment, including medications, physical therapy, and other methods of combating the disease. Using only folk remedies, patients relieve pain, but do not stop the development of the disease, which can lead to serious complications.
Bursitis is an inflammatory disease. Pathological foci form mainly in the joint cavities. This disease can be triggered by injuries and all kinds of infections, and the best means for its treatment are ointments, creams and gels. Which ointment for bursitis is considered the best and how to treat pathologies of different parts of the body?
All external preparations for the treatment of bursitis are divided into several categories, depending on the nature of the effect:
One of the most popular in our country is Vishnevsky ointment for bursitis of the knee joint. You will find only positive reviews about this drug. The drug contains substances. Pulling pus from synovial bursae. In order for this ointment to work effectively for bursitis of the elbow joint or knee, you need to start using it on time. Apply the composition in a thick layer to the skin and then wrap it with film and insulate it.
For bursitis of the shoulder, heel or foot, Ichthyol ointment, which is sold in every Russian pharmacy, helps. This wonderful remedy kills harmful microorganisms, fights inflammation and creates an analgesic effect. This drug is time-tested and has an affordable price, and people leave positive reviews about it in most cases. The only disadvantage of this ointment for the treatment of bursitis is its unpleasant smell, but you can live with this.
Heparin is considered a good ointment for bursitis of the heels, feet and shoulders. It is sold in pharmacies without a prescription and is suitable for self-treatment. The main thing is not to combine it with other external agents, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Time-tested gels for bursitis of the knees, elbows, feet and shoulders include Diclofenac, which helps with both minor and severe inflammation. The product has a strong antimicrobial effect and allows you to get good results without the use of antibiotics. Pregnant women and women during lactation are not recommended to use Diclofenac in the form of gel and ointment for bursitis, unless the drug is prescribed by a doctor.
Based on online reviews, it is difficult to find the best ointment to treat the symptoms of bursitis of the knee, elbow or other joints. People's opinions vary greatly, but most of all positive reviews are left about Diclofenac ointment. It is sold in all pharmacies and is used to treat many joint diseases.
Reviews about Ichthyol ointment are a little different, as many do not like its aroma. As for Vishnevsky’s ointment, it is considered a classic, which is why there are countless reviews about it on the Internet. It is especially good in the initial stages of the disease, and if bursitis has developed, people use the ointment in combination with other medications.
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The disease affects absolutely all joints, even the smallest ones. But, as practice shows, inflammatory processes most often form in the area of the large joint (shoulder, elbow, knee, hip) and heel - they account for a large share of physical activity.
The main symptom of the disease is the formation of a rounded swelling in the area of the affected area, visually similar to a lump. During palpation, this formation will cause pain. Motor functions of the affected area can be significantly limited and cause pain. At the site of pathology the following are also noticed:
Heel bursitis
Doctors divide bursitis into the following forms:
During the chronic stage, the pain is less pronounced. In the area of the articular capsule, a calciform formation is likely, which is why the motor abilities of the affected area are significantly limited.
At the acute stage, the accumulation of fluids in the synovial bursa increases. This increases the likelihood of a hygroma (a cystic cavity containing fluid).
The disease can be diagnosed only after communicating with the patient, based on his complaints, X-ray images of the affected area and a thorough examination by the doctor.
Bursitis is treated by a surgeon or orthopedist. Experts recommend contacting a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease. Treatment of the acute stage of bursitis is carried out in a day hospital. If the chronic form of the disease progresses, there is a possibility of hospitalization.
In case of acute pain symptoms, it is recommended to use:
The primary goal of therapy is to eliminate infections, prevent possible complications, and reduce the number of exacerbations. The specialist prescribes antimicrobial agents, anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient. The use of ointments and gels is also recommended.
Both the dosage and the schedule for taking medications are prescribed by a specialist, taking into account the specifics of the clinical picture. Also during bursitis, ultrasound treatment and physiotherapy are prescribed.
In the chronic stage of bursitis, in case of unsuccessful conservative therapy, surgical intervention is performed - the inflamed joint capsule is cut, adhesions are removed and washed with solutions with an antiseptic effect.
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
Treatment of disease in the heel and elbow joint area involves the use of ointments, physiotherapeutic measures and other traditional medicine. The most effective treatment is ointments. The product is quickly absorbed into the skin, thereby providing the necessary therapeutic effect. In most cases, treatment of the inflammatory process consists of applying a non-steroidal ointment to the heel and elbow joint.
Gel Voltaren Emulgel
The most commonly used ointments are:
Any of the above products are rubbed or applied to the affected area, to entire areas of the skin - 3-4 times a day. It is also possible to apply the product to the area of elbow diarthrosis under a fixing bandage. Prevention of the disease
To prevent bursitis, you should avoid any movements that cause pain in the area of the affected joint. Experts recommend constantly monitoring your physical fitness.
The main goal of preventive measures is to avoid repeated injuries to the joint capsules, wearing protective bandages for the heels and elbow joint. Before choosing an elbow brace, you should consult with an orthopedist. Experts strongly recommend treating wounds with antiseptics, and then applying a protective bandage or bactericidal patch.
The surface of the joint capsule is represented by synovial cells, which synthesize a fluid rich in protein and collagen. During the inflammatory process, the bursa becomes filled with joint exudate and puts pressure on the tissue. The patient experiences severe pain. In addition to pain, swelling and redness of the joint occurs.
Most often, bursitis develops in large joints (inflammation of the elbow, hip, knee joints). The causes of the disease are usually various injuries (sprains, dislocations), but infection can also provoke inflammation in the joint capsule.
Diagnosis of the disease is based on identifying the source of pain and swelling. On an x-ray, the doctor can observe calcium deposits in the area of inflammation.
For recurrent and chronic bursitis, the effectiveness of x-rays is also high.
Treatment for knee, shoulder, elbow and any other inflammation of the bursa can only be prescribed by a doctor. Therapy depends entirely on the degree of complexity of the pathology, changes that have occurred in the tissues of the joint and the severity of symptoms.
Chronic inflammation of the joint capsule may be a consequence of previous injuries. Treatment of this form of the disease requires surgery.
This is due to the fact that with chronic bursitis, a large deposition of calcium occurs on the tissues of the joint, as a result of which the joint loses mobility. The doctor removes calcium deposits using a special needle or surgery.
For non-infectious inflammation of the bursa, temporary limitation of limb mobility is typical. The arm or leg should be in an elevated position, and a cold compress should be applied to the site of inflammation. Treatment requires the following medications:
If the disease lasts for a very long time and therapeutic measures do not bring results, the doctor prescribes a joint puncture for the patient, which consists of removing synovial fluid from the bursa cavity, followed by washing the bursa.
Next, the patient must take antibacterial treatment. For this he prescribes Cefalotin, Clindamycin, Oxacillin. Antibiotics cannot be injected into the cavity of the bag.
When treating acute elbow or knee inflammation of the bursa, therapeutic measures should take place in combination:
For chronic bursitis, with large calcium deposits in the area of inflammation, surgery is performed. To avoid relapse of the disease, the bursa is removed.
Only a doctor can determine how to treat bursitis of the elbow joint, since treatment tactics will depend on the type of bursitis and the nature of its course. To treat bursitis of the elbow joint, medications are used, both systemic (tablets, capsules for oral administration, injection solutions) and external (ointments, creams, gels).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of elbow bursitis
Elbow bursitis is often accompanied by severe inflammation and pain, especially if it develops after injury. In order to relieve inflammation and pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed. The NSAID group includes diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide and other drugs. All of them have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
For bursitis of the elbow joint, NSAIDs are used both systemically and externally. For severe inflammation, pain and high body temperature, systemic NSAIDs are prescribed. One of the most effective drugs in this group is diclofenac, which can be used both as injections and as rectal suppositories. The latest generation of NSAIDs includes nimesulide (for example, Nise) - it is preferred to prescribe it if a long course of treatment is required, since this drug has fewer side effects than first-generation NSAIDs.
Along with systemic NSAIDs, NSAIDs are almost always prescribed for external use in the form of ointments, creams and gels. The most popular ointment for elbow bursitis:
Antibiotics for elbow bursitis
Antibiotics for bursitis of the elbow joint are prescribed in accordance with the identified sensitivity of the infectious agent to them. The most common causative agent of infection in bursitis of the elbow joint is Staphylococcus aureus, against which a number of antibiotics of different groups are active:
Antibiotics can only be prescribed by a doctor after conducting a laboratory test - inoculating the contents of the synovial cavity on nutrient media in order to identify the causative agent of the infection and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
Glucocorticoid hormones in the treatment of elbow bursitis
Sometimes the inflammation and pain associated with elbow bursitis is difficult to relieve. In such cases, intrasynovial injections of glucocorticoid hormones are prescribed; they very quickly relieve all inflammatory phenomena. For this purpose, medications such as prednisolone and hydrocortisone are most often used.
Bursitis refers to various types of inflammation of the mucous bursae, accompanied by the formation of effusion. Pathological foci form mainly in the joint cavity. The disease occurs when mechanical damage to the bursae and infection penetrates into them.
Treatment of knee bursitis depends on the type of inflammation of the periarticular bursae. The inflammatory process can be:
Locations of the external synovial bursae (bursae) of the knee
The severity of the development of the inflammatory process is closely related to the overall reactivity of the body (response to inflammation). In some patients, the disease develops slowly and the symptoms are smoothed out. In others, it proceeds violently, with high fever, severe pain, and the formation of a large amount of effusion. Depending on the characteristics of inflammation and the nature of the effusion, bursitis can be:
According to the course of the disease, bursitis is divided into acute and chronic.
How to treat bursitis of the knee joint? It is necessary to eliminate the cause and signs of the disease in one of two ways: conservative or surgical. The surgical method is resorted to only if conservative treatment does not help and the disease continues to progress. Conservative therapy comes down to eliminating the classic signs of inflammation, known since the times of Hippocrates, Celsus and Galen:
Removing effusion from the synovial bursa is one of the methods of treatment and diagnosis
To the listed symptoms you can add limited mobility of the knee. Good results are achieved by complex therapy (treatment) using:
The key to a successful, quick recovery is a correct and timely diagnosis. The approach to the treatment of knee bursitis in the acute and chronic stages has much in common; the principles are the same.
This is how antibiotic sensitivity is determined in laboratories.
Post-traumatic bursitis. Treatment begins with immobilization of the affected leg. A standard compression bandage is made with a regular or elastic bandage. The rest of the limb is ensured by a splint.
In case of acute bursitis of any etiology (cause) with the formation of effusion, a puncture (puncture of the mucous bursa) is performed under strict aseptic conditions. The exudate is removed and sent for bacteriological testing to the laboratory. At the same time, the sensitivity of the isolated microorganisms to the antibiotic is determined.
Purulent bursitis is treated in a hospital. They are fraught with serious complications - an abscess or phlegmon. Requires surgical intervention. In difficult cases, the abscess has to be opened. The inflamed cavity is washed with antiseptics, then an antibiotic is administered.
In case of chronic bursitis, the effusion is periodically removed as it accumulates. It is usually presented as a clear serous fluid. After suction, a pressure bandage is applied to the knee. Sometimes surgical treatment is indicated. The operation is performed if conservative treatment does not give the desired result. The walls of the mucous bursa thicken significantly, and “rice bodies” appear in the bursae.
For bursitis of an infectious nature, antibiotics are necessarily prescribed. The choice is determined by the sensitivity of the drug to pathogenic microflora. If a bacteriological study has not been carried out, preference is given to antibiotics with a broad spectrum of action or new generation drugs that are active against many microorganisms:
Cefazolin is an effective new generation antibiotic
It must be remembered that antibiotics suppress not only pathogenic microbes, but also affect the normal microflora of the human body. Therefore, they can be used as prescribed by a doctor in certain courses. Premature interruption of treatment is also undesirable. The recovery process is delayed, the disease enters the chronic stage.
For the treatment of nonspecific bursitis, NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – are primarily used. This is an extensive group of drugs that can eliminate inflammation, eliminate tissue swelling, relieve pain and hyperthermia. In other words, NSAIDs, when used correctly, can heal a knee and get a person back on their feet. The dosage forms of non-steroidal drugs are different and are used in the form of:
Diclofenac is a popular time-tested remedy for bursitis.
Tablets of NSAIDs, consumed orally (by mouth), negatively affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum. With prolonged use, nausea, diarrhea, ulcers, and bleeding may occur. To treat knee bursitis, it is better to use new generation medications that are virtually free of side effects. These include movalis and its analogues - meloxicam, arthrozan, movix, nimulid, xefocam and other drugs.
Among the earlier NSAIDs, the following have been successfully used:
During the recovery period and with chronic bursitis, the use of non-steroidal ointments helps. They are quickly absorbed and penetrate to the sore spot, causing almost no complications, except for individual intolerance.
Full-fledged high-quality treatment is impossible without other drugs that have a positive effect on the condition of the body as a whole. These are vitamins C, group “B”, ascorutin. They mobilize the patient’s defenses, help cope with inflammation, and reduce capillary permeability. Residual effects of bursitis of the knee joint are eliminated by physiotherapy - UHF and electrophoresis with hydrocortisone.
A miracle remedy in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases is the beekeeping product propolis. The substance has a pronounced bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect. It has local anesthetic and antitoxic properties. Propolis-based ointments help with bursitis.
Lilac is a popular remedy for joint inflammation.
To prepare a unique folk remedy, fish oil, petroleum jelly, lanolin, butter or any vegetable oil are suitable. The fat is brought to a boil, then removed from the heat. Crushed propolis is added to it. The composition is continuously stirred for half an hour. While hot, it is filtered through cheesecloth and poured into containers. The ointment can retain its healing properties for several years.
Another popular folk remedy for joint diseases is birch bud tincture. It is prepared based on:
The components are infused for exactly three weeks, strained, and stored away from sunlight. The drug can be used internally, 15-30 drops three times a day in rubs, lotions, and compresses.
A tincture of lilac leaves or flowers is prepared and used in a similar way. Only the ratio of ingredients is different. For one liter of vodka or alcohol, take 100 g of lilac.
There is no other way to cure bursitis except timely consultation with a doctor. The collaboration between the specialist and the patient guarantees positive results in the prevention and treatment of the disease.
Bursitis is an acute, subacute or chronic inflammation of the synovial bursa, which is accompanied by abundant formation and accumulation of exudate (inflammatory fluid) in its cavity.
There are about 140 bursae (synovial bursa) in the human body. Bursitis can affect any of them, but most often inflammation is observed in the elbow, knee and shoulder joints, less often in the bursae located between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon, and in the hip joints.
What kind of disease is this, why it occurs and how to get rid of it, let's look further.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial bursae (they are called bursae - small cavity formations) located in the joint area, which is accompanied by the accumulation of inflammatory fluid in them.
As a result, a swelling occurs, the size of which in some cases reaches ten centimeters. To the touch, the joint capsule is quite dense, sometimes touching causes pain, but it is worth noting that the functionality of the joint itself is not limited.
Bursitis most often occurs in the shoulder, elbow, or knee in men under 35, especially athletes. The hip, wrist, or ankle may also be affected. This is usually an occupational disease, but it also occurs in people who are overweight or wear ill-fitting shoes.
Usually the disease lasts 1-2 weeks and does not pose a threat to the patient’s life. But secondary trauma can cause the development of chronic bursitis, the treatment of which is very difficult.
In addition to the fact that the patient experiences persistent pain, he is also limited in movement, as the mobility of the joint is impaired. The risk group for bursitis includes athletes (skiers, golfers, tennis players), and people whose profession involves heavy physical labor (builders, miners, loaders).
The name of the bursa comes from the Latin word bursa, which translates as “bag”, “purse”. It is a flattened cavity containing fluid (it is produced by cells lining the inside wall of the synovial bursa).
The function of the bursa is to soften the mechanical impact on the joint elements, resulting in better mobility, as well as protection of the joints from adverse factors. The bursa can be articular or periarticular.
In traumatology and surgery, there are several classifications of bursitis:
In addition, in clinical practice, aseptic (uninfected) and infected bursitis are often distinguished.
The cause of bursitis is usually an injury, bruise or abrasion, that is, infection through the blood or damage to the affected area. It is also possible for pus to enter from erysipelas, this happens with osteomyelitis, bedsores, boils, and carbuncles. Infection occurs through abrasions or severe bruises. The chronic manifestation of this disease occurs due to constant irritation of the source of inflammation.
Causes of joint bursitis:
To summarize all of the above, the main causes of bursitis: in most cases, these are various injuries (chronic microtraumas, bruises, etc.), a little less often, these are metabolic disorders, infections, intoxications, autoimmune processes and allergic reactions
Symptoms of bursitis include the definition of a rounded, limited, painful swelling, elastic consistency, fluctuating, at the site of the anatomical location of the bursa. This swelling can be about eight or ten centimeters in diameter.
Complications that arise from untimely treatment:
Simple tests help diagnose bursitis:
If pain and limited movement are detected, the likelihood of illness increases. The farther the inflamed bursa is located from the surface of the body, the more difficult it is for a specialist to make a diagnosis. But no matter how deep the focus is hidden, when pressure is applied the patient will definitely feel pain.
Initially, the doctor interviews the patient and palpates the affected joint. Bursitis can be diagnosed using the following examination methods:
Regardless of the location of the pain, the main components of the fight against the disease are rest and immobility of the joint. How to treat bursitis depends on the type of inflammation, but in any case it will be complex therapy. What does it include:
As a rule, treatment of acute bursitis is carried out on an outpatient basis. During the first five to seven days, complete rest is recommended, during which a plaster cast is applied and treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed. Treatment with rest should not last more than ten days.
With chronic bursitis, various complications develop. Treatment for such forms of the disease is only surgical. In the first case, a bursectomy operation is performed (surgical removal of a pathologically altered synovial bursa). If there were no infectious contents inside, the postoperative wound will heal in 7-10 days. If a fistula is present, complete surgical excision is performed with further treatment of the purulent wound.
Medicines can be used both for oral administration or injections, and for local therapy (ointments, gels, compresses). As a rule, drugs from the group of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They suppress the inflammatory process, help reduce or completely disappear the main signs of bursitis (pain, swelling, fever).
In addition to general medications, orthopedic doctors always prescribe local remedies to patients with bursitis, such as ointment, warm compress, and the like.
Local treatments for bursitis include:
Treatment for bursitis may also include the following physiotherapeutic procedures:
All these actions are aimed at activating the body's metabolic processes. They are prescribed strictly individually, in accordance with the symptoms of the disease.
When bursitis goes into remission, doctors advise using therapeutic exercises and manual massage. You can also massage the damaged area yourself, but remember that this must be done carefully - an incorrect massage can only worsen the patient’s condition. Massage the inflamed area at night using plant oils - eucalyptus, petroleum jelly and lavender.
Therapeutic exercises are especially important for bursitis. It helps improve blood flow and, as a result, tissue nutrition, and restore motor function of the joint. Exercises are selected individually, taking into account the patient’s age and type of bursitis. As a rule, the initial exercises are very simple - just swing your arm back and forth.
The entire treatment period for bursitis takes on average from 1–2 to 4–5 weeks. The prognosis is almost always favorable. Relapses of the disease with timely and complete treatment (including surgery) occur in 2–3% of cases.
All traditional methods of treating bursitis should be used after the permission of your doctor.
Prevention of bursitis includes following the following recommendations: