Bursitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Peter Rodrick
November 01, 2008
Bursitis is a painful swelling of a small sac of fluid called a bursa. Bursae (plural of bursa) cushion and lubricate areas where tendons, ligaments, skin, muscles, or bones rub against each other. People who repeat the same movement over and over or who put continued pressure on a joint in their jobs, sports, or daily activities have a greater chance of getting it.
What causes bursitis?
The bursa is a fluid filled sac that muscles and tendons roll over near a joint to help reduce friction. A prolonged period of activity can cause the bursa to become inflamed. An inflamed bursa creates greater friction around a joint resulting in stiffness and pain with movement. Bursitis can also occur as a result of pressure on a joint such as leaning on an elbow for a long time. An injury such as falling on a knee can also cause bursitis.
Overuse: Many forms of bursitis have nicknames like "housemaid's knee," "miner's elbow," and even "tailor's bottom." Inflammation can result from repetitive strain placed on a joint, or continual pressure on the bursa itself (for example, by kneeling).
Symptoms of bursitis
Pain around such joints as the elbow, hip, shoulder and knee, especially if pressure is applied to the area or with use
Redness, warmth and swelling — These are less common and may mean the area is infected.
Who is at risk for bursitis?
Bursitis most often occurs in people who are in poor physical condition and/or have bad posture. Bursitis may also occur by overusing an affected limb, or by using an affected limb incorrectly.
Diagnosing Bursitis
Before making a diagnosis of bursitis, a number of possibilities need to be ruled out. Muscle injuries, joint injuries, local internal bleeding, synovitis, and cellulitis can all cause bursitis-like symptoms. Your doctor may ask you to take tests for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Treatment options for Bursitis
Fortunately bursitis can be easily treated. Treatment usually involves avoiding the activity that led to the inflammation. Medications such as ibuprofen and Motrin can be taken to help decrease pain and swelling.
In a preliminary study, intramuscular injections of vitamin B121 2 relieved the symptoms of acute subdeltoid (shoulder) bursitis and also decreased the amount of calcification in some cases. This mechanism is not understood. Oral B vitamins are unlikely to have the same effect, since the body´s absorption of vitamin B12 is quite limited. A doctor should be consulted regarding B12 or B12/niacin injections.
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area. Additionally, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid drug into the bursa to relieve inflammation. This treatment generally brings immediate relief and, in many cases, one injection is all you'll need.Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or over-the-counter nonsteroidal drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin can often be helpful. If the cause of the bursitis is bacterial, antibiotics will be administered.
Prevention of Bursitis
Cushion the joints. Don't lean on elbows, kneel or sit on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Use cushioned chairs or protective gear whenever possible.
Do appropriate warm-up and cool-down exercises.
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What causes bursitis?
The bursa is a fluid filled sac that muscles and tendons roll over near a joint to help reduce friction. A prolonged period of activity can cause the bursa to become inflamed. An inflamed bursa creates greater friction around a joint resulting in stiffness and pain with movement. Bursitis can also occur as a result of pressure on a joint such as leaning on an elbow for a long time. An injury such as falling on a knee can also cause bursitis.
Overuse: Many forms of bursitis have nicknames like "housemaid's knee," "miner's elbow," and even "tailor's bottom." Inflammation can result from repetitive strain placed on a joint, or continual pressure on the bursa itself (for example, by kneeling).
Symptoms of bursitis
Pain around such joints as the elbow, hip, shoulder and knee, especially if pressure is applied to the area or with use
Redness, warmth and swelling — These are less common and may mean the area is infected.
Who is at risk for bursitis?
Bursitis most often occurs in people who are in poor physical condition and/or have bad posture. Bursitis may also occur by overusing an affected limb, or by using an affected limb incorrectly.
Diagnosing Bursitis
Before making a diagnosis of bursitis, a number of possibilities need to be ruled out. Muscle injuries, joint injuries, local internal bleeding, synovitis, and cellulitis can all cause bursitis-like symptoms. Your doctor may ask you to take tests for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Treatment options for Bursitis
Fortunately bursitis can be easily treated. Treatment usually involves avoiding the activity that led to the inflammation. Medications such as ibuprofen and Motrin can be taken to help decrease pain and swelling.
In a preliminary study, intramuscular injections of vitamin B121 2 relieved the symptoms of acute subdeltoid (shoulder) bursitis and also decreased the amount of calcification in some cases. This mechanism is not understood. Oral B vitamins are unlikely to have the same effect, since the body´s absorption of vitamin B12 is quite limited. A doctor should be consulted regarding B12 or B12/niacin injections.
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area. Additionally, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid drug into the bursa to relieve inflammation. This treatment generally brings immediate relief and, in many cases, one injection is all you'll need.Anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or over-the-counter nonsteroidal drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin can often be helpful. If the cause of the bursitis is bacterial, antibiotics will be administered.
Prevention of Bursitis
Cushion the joints. Don't lean on elbows, kneel or sit on hard surfaces for long periods of time. Use cushioned chairs or protective gear whenever possible.
Do appropriate warm-up and cool-down exercises.
Visit Home Remedies. Do not forget to visit Breast Enlargement Capsules and Breast Serum Natural Breast Enlargement
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