Causes of bursitis. Symptoms of bursitis. Effective treatment of bursitis of the knee and elbow joint at home.
bursitis is an inflammation of the periarticular synovial bursa (bursa), which is located in places of greatest friction between muscles and bone. The bursa is a small fluid-filled connective tissue sac (pocket) located in areas of greatest friction between tendons or muscles and bone. Synovial bursae may also be located between the skin and protruding bone, i.e. in areas where significant mechanical pressure is created.
Bursitis is one of the most common joint diseases. A person has an average of 140 bursae, and bursitis can develop in any of them. However, bursitis of the elbow joint is most often observed, and less often of the knee joints. There are also bursitis of the shoulder and hip joint and other types. Bursitis usually accompanies inflammation of the tendons (tendobursitis).
Bursitis is especially common among athletes. As a rule, they disappear within 1-2 weeks and do not pose a serious threat to health or life. Traumatic bursitis most often occurs in patients under 35 years of age. The predominant gender is male. However, it should be remembered that repeated injuries can lead to the development of chronic bursitis, which makes movement difficult and painful for a long time.
Inflammation of the periarticular bursa with bursitis can be caused by various reasons. Among them:
Bursitis can also be caused by metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, intoxication, and an allergic reaction. But often this disease develops without any apparent reason.
The main symptom of bursitis is swelling around the joint, which can be accompanied not only by painful sensations, but also by dysfunction of the limb. If bursitis is located superficially, it can be determined independently by detecting well-moving tumors that are hot to the touch. Shoulder bursitis is detected if you have difficulty placing your arm behind your head.
There are acute bursitis (developing suddenly and occurring quickly) and chronic bursitis (recurrent).
Acute bursitis begins suddenly with severe pain that intensifies with movement. Depending on the location of the inflammation of the bursa, pain in acute bursitis is provoked by movement in a specific joint. So, with shoulder bursitis, it is difficult for a patient to place his hand behind his head (when combing his hair). In acute bursitis, there is an extremely painful point above the inflamed joint; the pain often radiates to the neck or down the arm. Swelling, redness, and possibly a local increase in temperature (due to inflammation) can be seen over the affected area. The diameter of the swelling can reach 8-10 cm.
With chronic bursitis, the pain is milder, but lasts longer. Chronic bursitis looks like a dense formation, the skin over it is mobile, not changed, and the function of the limb is not impaired. With chronic bursitis, calcium deposits often form in the area of the synovial bursa.
Most often, bursitis affects the elbow, shoulder and knee joints. Less common is bursitis of the hip joint. Many people have encountered bursitis of the foot - for example, Achilles bursitis. Each of these types of bursitis has its own characteristics.
A common type of bursitis in the foot area is inflammation of a large bursa located between the heel tubercle and the heel tendon - Achilles bursitis. It is caused by trauma to the synovial bursa with shoes, hematogenous or lymphogenous infection. Bursitis of the subcutaneous heel bursa is a painful swelling in the area of the heel tubercle. In some cases, this type of bursitis must be differentiated from inflammation caused by injury to the soft tissues of the heel “spur.”
Treatment for any bursitis depends on whether it is infectious or not. Septic bursitis requires treatment with antibiotics, often intravenously. Aspiration of fluid from the bursa may be necessary—removing fluid with a needle and syringe under sterile conditions.
In addition, septic bursitis requires further monitoring and treatment. Repeated aspirations, surgical drainage, and even, in rare cases, removal of the inflamed bursa (bursectomy) may be required.
With chronic bursitis, it is sometimes necessary to remove calcium deposits if they are large enough, cause constant discomfort or interfere with movements.
For non-infectious bursitis, corticosteroid injections into the bursa may also be used, sometimes at the same time as aspiration. But most often in this case, a rest regimen, anti-inflammatory and painkillers (if necessary) are recommended. For aseptic bursitis, ice compresses can be used. Sometimes, instead of cold, heat (a heating pad, warming ointment) or alternating cold and hot compresses helps better bursitis
The therapeutic anti-inflammatory analgesic patch NANOPLAST forte has shown high effectiveness in the treatment of bursitis - primarily in non-infectious bursitis.
In the therapeutic treatment of bursitis, various agents are used, such as corticosteroid hormones, NSAIDs, intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate. All these remedies are effective, but if used for a long time they can cause harm to the body. Therefore, it is very important to minimize side effects and increase the effectiveness of bursitis treatment. A new generation drug can help with this - the pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medical patch NANOPLAST forte . Read more >>>
In the treatment of bursitis, the NANOPLAST forte medical patch is very effective, it allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
When treating bursitis, the therapeutic anti-inflammatory analgesic plaster NANOPLAST forte is applied to the shoulder, elbow or knee joint, depending on the location. The recommended course duration for the treatment of bursitis with the NANOPLAST forte medical patch is 1 week. Usually, for bursitis, it is recommended to use the patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it is possible to use it at night. Depending on the area of application, a patch of either 7x9 cm in size (for example, the elbow joint) or 9x12 cm in size (for example, the knee joint) is used.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours!) therapeutic effects, ease of use and affordable price make NANOPLAST forte the drug of choice in the treatment of bursitis.
At the first stages of exercise therapy you need to work with a trainer
Bursitis refers to inflammation of one of the synovial pockets located in the shoulder. During the inflammatory process in the mucous bursa, the fluid produced increases, which causes swelling and redness in the area where the affected bursa is located. There are about 10 mucous bursae in the shoulder joint. The most common cause of the disease is injury, high physical stress, and metabolic disorders. Therapy for inflammatory pathologies begins with the use of medications, medications prepared at home. When the acute period has passed, the recovery process begins with the help of exercises. At first, exercise therapy for bursitis is carried out with a physiotherapist; after improving mobility, the doctor will allow you to do the training yourself.
Bursitis of the shoulder joint is manifested by limitation of movement. It is difficult for the victim to move a joint, get things from high shelves, or put on clothes. With bursitis, exercise plays an important role in recovery. The benefits of training are many-sided. Physical exercises are selected individually for each patient. The choice of training depends on which bursa is affected. The benefits of training for inflammation in the synovial recesses of the shoulder
Physical therapy begins after the acute period has passed and swelling has decreased. During the period of acute manifestations of symptoms, it is forbidden to exercise; even the slightest movements will cause harm, aggravate the course of the inflammatory process, and cause complications. During the period of drug therapy, the joint must be immobilized using special bandages and plaster.
Classes must be conducted by a physiotherapist. It is advisable to work with it at first in order to perform the complex correctly. His recovery depends on how the patient performs this or that complex. The physiotherapist will show you the correct execution, indicate where and what was done incorrectly, and correct it. After the patient has completed a course of treatment with a physiotherapist and has mastered all the exercises, he is allowed to practice independently.
The subacromial synovial bursa is surrounded by the deltoid muscle, the supraspinatus muscle, the tubercles of the humerus, and the tendon “cuff” of the short rotators. The subacromial type of shoulder bursitis is accompanied by loss of exudate from the synovial bursa. It is recommended to start training with minimal loads; after the pain passes, it is allowed to add light weight to the exercises. First, warm up your muscles. A massage with warming oils will help warm up your muscles, and take a bath with anti-inflammatory herbs. Subacromial bursitis of the shoulder joint is accompanied by pain when moving the joint above the head. Therefore, it is quite difficult to warm up; it is better to use a bath or massage. A set of trainings for the inflammatory process in the subacromial bursa:
When the pain hardly bothers you, start drawing numbers. Stretch your upper limb to the side and keep it straight. Draw numbers from 1 to 10 in the air. A set of exercises will gradually restore mobility and relieve pain. Don't do the whole complex at once. When practicing on your own, monitor the condition of your shoulder. The slightest appearance of pain means stopping the exercise, give the joint a rest, then try again.
Shoulder bursitis responds remarkably well to yoga exercises. Using the training involves:
Regularly performing a set of yoga exercises will help restore health to your joints. By training with a trainer, in a short period of time you will feel that pain has begun to go away and inflammation has decreased significantly. Most patients who have tried this complex respond positively. In addition, medical professionals recommend doing yoga if you have problems with joints such as arthritis, arthrosis, bursitis.
Yoga involves gentle stress and pressure on the joints. It causes virtually no pain. The main thing is to do the exercises correctly. If something doesn’t work out, ask the trainer to help and show you again how to do it correctly. Recovery directly depends on the correct execution of the exercises. When working on shoulder bursitis, it is recommended to turn off all communications and choose a room where you feel calm and peaceful. Yoga also restores breathing and improves metabolism, which may have caused the development of shoulder bursitis.
Where to start training? The answer, then, is clear. The main thing is to find a trainer competent in this area of treatment. So, to restore mobility, it is recommended to start performing the following exercises for shoulder bursitis:
The next set of exercises is performed on a chair. It was developed specifically for diseases of the shoulder joint. Perform each exercise 5-10 times. So, a yoga training complex for a diagnosis of shoulder bursitis:
This set of exercises can be performed for any disease associated with the shoulder joint. Daily exercise will speed up recovery and can be used as a preventive measure.
The subcoracoidal type of bursitis of the shoulder joint is characterized by severe pain at night. The synovial bursa is located between the acromion and the head of the humerus. The subdeltoid pocket is located on the back of the shoulder. The disease is accompanied by pain when moving the arms in different directions, swelling, and discomfort when carrying heavy objects. A set of exercises to restore the shoulder joint during the inflammatory process in the subcoracoidal and subdeltoid bursa is performed without additional weight. The following exercises must be started after your doctor has approved the exercises:
The entire training complex must be repeated 3 times. At the end, it is advisable to stretch the muscles if there is no pain. Bring your right upper limb behind your left shoulder. With your left hand, press on your right elbow, feel the muscles stretch. Repeat the exercise by changing the position of the upper limbs.
Subcoracoid bursitis can appear on the outside of the shoulder joint. It is difficult for the victim to move his arm to the side. Subcoracoid bursitis cannot be treated on its own. Self-therapy will worsen the course of the disease. The victim feels pain in the area of the shoulder blade and shoulder. Classes are conducted under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Massage will help get rid of the inflammatory process. First, do warm-up movements, massage, take a bath, then perform therapeutic exercises. After drug treatment of the pathological condition, passing the acute period, it is recommended to perform the following training:
Movements are performed smoothly. Perform the exercises in 2-3 counts, so the muscles will receive a greater load, and the effectiveness of the exercises will improve.
Around any charter there are synovial bursae, which are filled with fluid. Their purpose is to perform a protective function. Elbow bursitis is an inflammatory pathology that manifests itself in the tissues that surround the olecranon area. The peculiarity of the disease is the gradual manifestation of symptoms, which ultimately lead to complete loss of ability to work.
Bursitis has many different names, popular among people - “student’s elbow”, “baker’s elbow”, “athlete’s disease”. The disease is typical for people who regularly perform certain movements that involve the elbow joints. Athletes are often susceptible to the disease, especially tennis players, hockey players and golfers. Therefore, the disease can be called occupational.
Microtraumas that occur during exercise are one of the provoking factors in the appearance of various joint diseases. Sometimes elbow bursitis develops after a mechanical injury (bruise or fall on the elbow). Arthritis of any form, which appears simultaneously with bursitis, can aggravate the patient’s condition. The appearance of two diseases simultaneously requires urgent intervention from a specialist.
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Bursitis of the elbow joint may have infectious causes: staphylococci, E. coli and other bacteria appear in the free spaces of the synovial bursa, causing infection. Germs find an entry point through the blood, for example, during a common cold. The disease-causing factor may be other forms of bursitis and decreased immunity. Panaritium (inflammation of the soft tissues of the fingers and bones) may appear as an infectious cause of bursitis. In medical practice, there are cases of idiopathic inflammation, when the disease develops for reasons unknown to science.
Symptoms of bursitis are similar to symptoms of diseases such as arthritis, polyarthritis or gout. In each of these cases, the patient needs different medical care using different medications. At the first suspicion of bursitis, it is recommended to confirm the diagnosis with your doctor.
The first is trauma; it is after it that post-traumatic bursitis often develops. This form is relevant for professional athletes, in particular tennis players.
The bag can become infected with streptococcus, staphylococcus, gonococcus or other microbes. The infection can enter the body directly as a result of injury or from the primary source of infection.
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In the absence of specific treatment, which is competently and correctly prescribed by a specialist, the process can become purulent and worsen. Bursitis can also develop in people of certain professions, especially when they rest their elbows on a hard surface for a long time.
Elbow bursitis can be acute, recurrent or chronic. Depending on the nature of the fluid, it can be serous (a mild option that does not lead to complications), hemorrhagic (admixed with blood) or purulent (a dangerous option). Of particular danger is purulent bursitis, which has become chronic.
Experts have identified the following symptoms of elbow bursitis. First, swelling appears in the affected area. Sometimes it develops without any prerequisites or reasons, is painless, and does not affect the functioning of the hand. If you ignore the symptom, the swelling will become larger, a feeling of discomfort and pain in the joint will appear. Redness of the skin in the elbow area gradually appears.
There is an increase in body temperature, and in special cases a febrile state occurs. General health becomes worse, acute pain begins to bother you. If you still do not pay attention to the symptoms, a purulent form of the disease may develop. Fistulas and subcutaneous phlegmons will appear in the affected area, the lymph nodes will enlarge, and any movement in the elbow will bring impossible pain. Symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the form of the disease:
If the symptoms of the disease are completely ignored, bursitis of the elbow joint can develop to severe forms. Consequences arising from failure to provide medical care are much more difficult to cure. The walls in the synovial cavity melt, spreading the pathogenic mass to adjacent areas. There is a risk of phlegmon, lymphangitis, lymphadenitis and purulent arthritis.
Symptoms of the disease may be similar to those of other inflammatory infections, so the main task in diagnosis is to distinguish elbow bursitis from other diseases. The doctor will conduct a visual examination, ask a few questions about recent physical activity, and, if necessary, perform a puncture of the joint cavity. The procedure is needed to determine the causes of the disease. The final diagnosis is determined on the basis of laboratory tests, medical history and serological reactions. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe a fluoroscopy of the elbow joint.
The use of non-steroidal antiphlogistic agents is effective in treatment. The drugs are used in conjunction with gels and ointments. Vitamins and restorative drugs, immunostimulants are also prescribed. Phonopheresis, magnetic therapy, hydrocortisone and paraffin therapy are often used. After the acute period of the disease passes, physiotherapy is used to complete the treatment. With its help, the body's metabolic processes improve and signs of inflammation go away. Physiotherapy procedures are perfectly combined with each other: acupuncture, vacuum therapy, hirudotherapy, pharmacopuncture, ozokerite applications, mud therapy and acupressure are performed.
After treatment of the disease, the prognosis is predominantly favorable. Joint mobility is fully restored 2-3 weeks after treatment; in more advanced cases, rehabilitation time can take several months.
They are prescribed extremely rarely, only if there is a suspicion of infection entering the synovial bursa. Antibiotics are administered either by injection, or the joint capsule is washed with solutions containing the drug. For bursitis, doctors most often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, medications may differ depending on the causative agent of the disease.
Elbow bursitis may require urgent surgical intervention. It is used in the most advanced cases, when other treatment methods have failed, or in case of damage to the synovial cavity. Surgical intervention may be required when the disease is accompanied by exacerbations (usually in the chronic stage).
One of the surgical methods of treatment is puncture of the synovial bursa. It is a puncture necessary to get rid of the contents of the bursa and completely wash it. During puncture, doctors use antibacterial drugs. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated. The puncture must be performed in a sterile hospital environment.
The next method is drainage of the ulnar bursa. Drainage means opening the bursa cavity and removing pus and other fluids from it. The drainage is on the elbow until complete recovery. In some cases, bursectomy is used - excision of the ulnar bursa and application of a splint, which provides rest to the joint.
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to distribute physical exercise, adhere to a proper nutrition system, and a balanced wakefulness and sleep pattern. If there is a threat of joint injury, be sure to use protective equipment, and also treat all infectious diseases in a timely manner. Elbow bursitis is a serious disease that requires timely medical intervention. Taking good care of your health can prevent an unfavorable outcome of the disease and prevent the development of possible pathologies.
1. Types of bursitis according to the duration of the disease
As a rule, bursitis is divided into types based on the duration of its course. There are three forms of this pathology - acute, chronic and recurrent. Each of the forms has its own differences in manifestations - in the intensity of painful sensations and their duration, in the appearance of the affected limb. The general condition of the patient is also different - it can be either normal or significantly worsen. Now let's look at all three forms of bursitis in more detail.
One more classification can be mentioned, namely the division according to the composition of the synovial mass. There are three main types: serous, hemorrhagic and purulent. The safest of them is serous and it is easier to treat than others. In this case, the liquid has a whey consistency, which is least fraught with negative consequences. The hemorrhagic type is distinguished by the presence of blood in the joint fluid, while the purulent type produces pus; by the way, this is the most dangerous of the types, in which it is imperative to consult a doctor.
The elbow joint has a complex structure, as it is designed to withstand significant physical loads. The elbow is formed by three bones: the humerus, radius and ulna. The epiphyses of the bones are covered with hyaline cartilage, which provides a smooth surface.
The elbow joint is covered with a special shell. The inner lining of the bursa synthesizes joint fluid, synovium, which acts as a biological lubricant that prevents friction between the joints.
In addition, this liquid is a nutrient medium for the cartilage tissue of the joint. Three periarticular bursae form around the elbow:
Please note that any of the above bursae may be involved in inflammatory reactions. The peculiarity of elbow bursitis is that gradually appearing signs lead to loss of ability to work, and in severe cases to disability.
Since pain in this organ can occur for various reasons, treatment should be targeted. The etiology of elbow pain is quite diverse:
People call bursitis of the elbow joint differently - “tennis elbow”, “jeweler’s disease”, “baker’s elbow”.
These names for the disease arose because the disease is most often diagnosed in athletes or patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
As a rule, elbow bursitis is observed in young and middle-aged patients. Men are more susceptible to this pathology.
At the initial stages of development of the pathology, there are practically no signs of the disease; the patient may notice slight redness in the area where the pathological process is localized.
The key signs of pathology include the following:
Advice! If you notice pain in the elbow joint, immediately contact the clinic for qualified help. After all, the symptoms of bursitis can manifest themselves in different ways, so only an experienced specialist can correctly diagnose the disease.
The first stage of treatment for elbow bursitis is, of course, timely diagnosis. It is necessary to determine the etiology of joint pain. When the subcutaneous bursa is affected, making a diagnosis does not cause any particular difficulties.
In case of purulent inflammation, the sensitivity of the isolated infectious agents to antimicrobial drugs is determined. If there is a specific inflammation, laboratory tests are prescribed.
Due to the deeper location of the interosseous and radioulnar bursae, it is much more difficult to diagnose their inflammation.
As additional methods for diagnosing elbow bursitis, doctors prescribe:
Many patients wonder how and how to treat elbow bursitis at home and is it even possible?
For maximum therapeutic effect, treatment should be carried out taking into account the symptoms and etiology of the disease. Modern medicine recommends conservative and radical treatment.
Important! If the inflammatory process is moderate and does not require surgery, elbow bursitis can be treated at home.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is first necessary to limit movement and stress on the affected joint. Traumatologists recommend using a special elastic bandage and fixing bandages.
Drug treatment for elbow bursitis at home is prescribed by a doctor. Anti-inflammatory and painkillers are used (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Voltaren, Finalgon, Fastum Gel),
antimicrobial agents (cephalosporin antibiotics, macrolites, sulfonamides, nitrofurans), which reduce pain, block inflammatory processes, and prevent the progression of the disease.
The patient is treated at home, but periodically he must visit the attending physician.
For joint pathology (elbow bursitis), doctors often prescribe medications based on dimethyl sulfoxide (“Dimexide”). The main properties of the medication are presented below:
Before applying a bandage with the specified medicine, prepare a solution in a 1:1 ratio. Next, the moistened bandage is applied to the affected area, covered with a plastic bag, and then insulated (you can use a scarf or something else).
The compress is used at least eight times a day. Dimexide, like any other medicine, has a number of contraindications. It is highly not recommended to treat elbow bursitis at home, without a doctor’s prescription.
Advice! Before using anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial drugs, consult a specialist. Do not self-medicate.
Physiotherapy methods are quite popular in the treatment of elbow bursitis. Usually the doctor prescribes the patient to undergo physical therapy:
Note! Alternative therapies are not able to completely cure the patient. They only temporarily eliminate the symptoms of a disturbing disease.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to combine physiotherapy methods with drug treatment.
You can treat elbow bursitis at home using leeches.
These are unique animal salivary glands that secrete a complex of bioactive compounds (enzymes, functional proteins and proteids), which exhibit a positive effect on metabolism and blood circulation in the pathological area of the joint.
The biologically active substances in leech saliva include the following compounds:
Elbow bursitis is a fairly common pathology that requires timely diagnosis and adequate therapy. In the early stages of pathogenesis, the disease does not pose a threat to human health.
To effectively combat an insidious disease, you need to clearly know how it manifests itself. Medicine distinguishes two forms of purulent bursitis of the elbow joint: acute and chronic. Each of them is characterized by its own symptoms and developmental characteristics. To prevent inflammation of the bursa from taking you by surprise, study the symptoms of this disease in detail.
Hemorrhagic bursitis of the elbow joint in its acute form manifests itself openly. Patients suffering from this disease experience the following:
The chronic form of bursitis of the synovial bursa in the remission phase causes practically no concern. The only reminder of the lurking illness is a swollen elbow (as shown in the photo). Inflammatory processes stop temporarily. The patient feels much easier. However, in the absence of proper treatment, systematic exercise is strictly prohibited.
People who promptly pay attention to the development of pathology have a good chance of curing bursitis of the elbow joint without hospitalization. This does not mean that you need to blindly self-medicate. If you notice the symptoms listed above, immediately seek qualified medical help. Doctors will make an accurate diagnosis and, if it is not too late for this, prescribe treatment at home. Nowadays, there are a lot of folk and traditional remedies to combat this disease. Use them to avoid complications.
Since ancient times, doctors have noticed that some people develop a tumor on their elbow during systematic physical activity. In addition, similar manifestations were sometimes noted during intense training. In most cases, inflammation of the bursa was noted after serious injuries. Post-traumatic bursitis appeared several days after a blow or fall. Natural folk remedies were used to combat this disease. Nowadays, these drugs also demonstrate high effectiveness. You should write down the recipes for some of them for yourself:
Each of us can hurt our hand. No one is immune from this. After such injuries, tumors may appear, indicating the development of bursitis of the elbow joint. This does not happen to everyone, but to avoid complications it is worth paying attention to the condition of the hand. The elbow may swell the next day or after two weeks - no doctor can say for sure. If a painful lump appears, you will have to act urgently, otherwise a purulent inflammation will develop from a slight swelling. Write down how to treat elbow bursitis so you know how to proceed:
Surgical treatment of inflammation of the bursa is required when physiotherapy procedures, home compresses and medications do not help. Studying bursitis of the elbow joint, its symptoms and treatment, doctors have found that in such cases there is only one effective way to combat inflammation - puncture. This operation involves the removal of pathological excess fluid, followed by the use of supportive and preventive agents. The patient is given local anesthesia, and then the blood accumulated in the bursa is pumped out using a syringe.
With complications of acute or chronic bursitis, a suppurative process may occur in the joint capsule with the possibility of entering the joint. In this case, a puncture or operation is prescribed, performed exclusively in a surgical hospital. The elbow joint is cleaned and washed to prevent pathological degenerative changes.
Elbow bursitis can recur for several reasons:
Only a doctor can tell you how to treat elbow bursitis and take preventive measures. During periods of remission, you can additionally take herbal teas, decoctions and use plant-based ointments.
With timely treatment and implementation of all complex treatment measures, the outcome of the disease is favorable. Prevention of the disease can be the correct mode of work and rest, absence of stress on the elbow, balanced nutrition, and timely treatment of infectious diseases.
The treatment of which in modern conditions is quite simple, but you should carefully monitor changes in your body in order to identify health problems in time.
In the vast majority of cases, bursitis occurs as a result of an infected injury to the elbow joint. In this case, the main role is played by bacteria such as staphylo-, strepto-, gonococcus and others. Microbes can also enter the joint capsule area through the blood or lymph from distant foci of infection.
The next reason is the increased load on the elbow joint. Bursitis is often diagnosed in athletes involved in tennis, golf, hockey, as well as in students (often they write leaning on their elbow), office workers (controlling a computer mouse, many of them also lean on their left elbow), jewelers and watchmakers.
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Acute forms of bursitis are accompanied by pronounced symptoms, while chronic forms are asymptomatic.
Typically, elbow bursitis has the following symptoms:
If a large amount of inflammatory fluid (exudate) accumulates in the joint capsule, a symptom of fluctuation occurs - when palpating (feeling) the affected area, fluctuations in the contents are felt inside it.
In severe cases, not only a local increase in temperature is determined, but also general hyperthermia (even up to 39-40 ° C in the armpit). This is accompanied by other signs of intoxication of the body - weakness, fatigue, irritability of the patient, deterioration or complete lack of appetite, sweating, and so on.
Severe swelling can lead to compression of the nerves, resulting in numbness in the fingers.
If purulent bursitis is left untreated, purulent masses can melt the wall of the joint capsule and spread to nearby tissues - into the joint cavity (causing purulent arthritis), between muscles (causing phlegmon), or penetrate remotely, opening into other organs or onto the skin - forming fistulas .
Occupational forms of bursitis of the elbow joint are usually characterized by a chronic course. Patients complain of mild, aching pain, a feeling of pressure, fullness, and heaviness in the affected area. The volume of pathological fluid in the joint capsule is small, swelling is insignificant, symptoms of general intoxication of the body are not determined.
The doctor will suspect the diagnosis already at the stage of collecting complaints, anamnesis of life and illness, as well as the results of an objective examination of the patient (he will detect swelling in the posterior surface of the elbow joint, hyperemia of the skin and pain on palpation of this area). Additional research methods will help confirm or refute his assumption, in particular ultrasound of the affected area, radiography of the elbow joint and puncture of exudate (to determine its cellular composition and type of microorganisms).
As a rule, a patient with bursitis of the elbow joint receives treatment in a clinic, but in severe cases of the disease he is indicated for hospitalization in a hospital.
First of all, the doctor will recommend resting the affected joint. A bandage should be applied to it, and a pressure bandage should be applied to prevent swelling.
The patient may also be recommended to take the following medications:
For open injuries to the elbow joint, the surgeon will debride the wound and apply a sterile dressing. After this, he will prescribe antibiotics to the patient.
If a large amount of inflammatory fluid has accumulated in the ulnar bursa, it is sucked out (aspirated) using a syringe, and then the joint bursa is treated with a solution of antiseptics, antibiotics and/or hormones that have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
In severe cases, if other treatment methods are ineffective, the patient may be recommended to remove the wall of the synovial bursa, partial excision or complete removal of this anatomical formation.
Physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of bursitis. Their goal is to eliminate the inflammatory process, eliminate exudate, relieve pain and restore full function of the affected joint.
During different periods of the disease, different physical factors are used. So, in the first 5-7 days, when there is an acute inflammatory process or an exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease, the maximum amount of inflammatory fluid is determined in the joint capsule, and anti-inflammatory treatment is actively carried out. When the acute phenomena of the pathological process are eliminated and the main directions of treatment are the removal of residual exudate and restoration of the structure and functions of damaged tissues, lymphatic drainage techniques, dilating blood vessels and activating the processes of repair and regeneration are used.
A pronounced anti-inflammatory effect in bursitis is exerted by:
To improve blood circulation in affected tissues, use:
In case of severe pain syndrome, the patient is prescribed:
To improve lymphatic drainage in the affected area, alcohol compresses are applied to it.
The following are used as myostimulating techniques:
To activate the processes of repair and regeneration, use:
In order to prevent the formation of connective tissue adhesions and scars, the following fibrodestructive and fibromodulating methods of physiotherapy can be used:
In order to restore range of motion in the affected joint, the patient is prescribed physical therapy.
Physiotherapy is contraindicated in the presence of purulent-hemorrhagic effusion in the joint capsule (carried out only after the exudate has been eliminated), as well as in the case of necrosis (death) of the tissues making up the walls of the capsule.
Its goal is to prevent the transformation of acute bursitis into chronic, in order to prevent the formation of joint contracture. For this purpose, fibromodulating techniques are used that improve metabolic processes in connective tissue.
Bursitis of the elbow joint is an inflammation in the area of the joint capsule that occurs as a result of injury or bacteria entering this area. The main clinical manifestations of this disease are pain of varying intensity, swelling and redness of the soft tissue over the affected part of the joint, as well as limitation of its functions. The doctor’s first recommendation regarding the treatment of bursitis is a protective regimen - minimizing the load on the affected joint. The specialist also recommends medication to the patient, and in severe cases, surgical treatment. An important component of the complex treatment of bursitis is physiotherapy, the techniques of which help reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain, accelerate reparative and regenerative processes in the affected area, and also restore range of motion in the joint.
If you or your family have complaints characteristic of elbow bursitis, please do not waste time and do not self-medicate. This can lead to the development of complications, which will be much more difficult to eliminate than to cure bursitis directly. Be healthy!
Physical therapy exercises for bursitis of the elbow joint:
How to treat elbow bursitis at home? The duration of therapy is three weeks or longer. During treatment, the patient often experiences severe pain: a scar forms in the elbow joint.
At the end of the main course, rehabilitation is required to improve the condition of tendons, muscles, and joints. The doctor will prescribe exercise therapy (physical therapy) and massage. The patient himself performs special exercises (after training from a doctor at the exercise therapy office) at home.
The massage must be performed by a specialist. Given the chronic and recurrent nature of the disease, loved ones will have to learn the basic techniques for high-quality rehabilitation of the sufferer after each attack.
Many patients, in addition to ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory effects (drugs Voltaren, Indomethacin, Traumeel S, Dimexide, Diclofenac) use folk recipes for bursitis of the elbow joint. Complex treatment lasts several weeks and requires regular use of homemade formulations.
Consult a traumatologist to find out which remedy is best. If it is not possible to see a doctor immediately, traditional medicine recipes for bursitis will reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
After treatment, follow these simple rules to avoid relapses:
Remember: untimely application of disinfectants opens the way for pathogenic microbes. Infection often causes purulent lesions in the area of the synovial bursa and the development of an acute form of bursitis;