Bursitis

“Millions of adults worldwide are affected by bursitis annually, particularly individuals over 40. It affects a third to a quarter of all diabetics in the world. Early diagnosis and proper care can be used to prevent long-term damage. At Axis Clinics, we are well-versed in helping our patients manage and recover from bursitis.” – National Library of Medicine

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is caused by inflammation of a bursa, a small, fluid-filled sac near the joints of the body. Bursae pad and reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles. The structure allows for smooth movement. The bursa avoids friction and wear, especially in high-pressure areas. The shoulders, elbows, and knees have pressure and friction regions.

When there is inflammation in a bursa, it results in bursitis. This inflammation disrupts the bursa’s work to reduce friction in the joint. This results in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the same joint. Sometimes, bursitis results from repetitive movements or constant pressure on a joint. It irritates and places stress on the bursa as time passes.

Bursitis can affect many areas of the body but is most frequent in areas that often bear stress or repeated motion. These include:

Shoulders: The shoulder is a well-moving joint. Every activity that requires overhead movements, such as painting or lifting, leads to irritation of the bursa in the shoulder. It hurts and moves with difficulty.
Elbows: Performing repeated elbow movements through any strenuous activity, such as tennis, or heavy lifting/bending, also causes inflammation in the bursa over the elbow.
Hips: The bursa inside the joint can become inflamed because of repetitive activities such as running, squatting, or long periods of being under pressure, such as sitting on hard surfaces for a prolonged number of hours.
Knees: Knees also develop bursitis and are often in occupations where a person spends a lot of time on their knees (gardeners and construction workers), as well as in any athlete who puts a lot of pressure on their knees by running or jumping.

This occurs because of the repeated motions. But injuries, infections, and diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can also cause them. Thus, to prevent and treat it, we must know how the body works. It is about its movement and the pressures that movement puts on the bursae.

Symptoms of Bursitis

Symptoms of bursitis can differ depending on the joint affected, but typical symptoms include:

Pain in the affected area that worsens with motion or pressure over that area
Swelling around the joint
Warmth or redness around the affected area
Reduced range of motion
Tenderness to the touch

Causes and Risk Factors of Bursitis

Bursitis usually occurs when the bursa is irritated or overused, from repetitive movements or direct trauma. The following are some factors that may lead to bursitis.

Repetitive Motion: Throwing of the ball; lifting of heavy objects or the recurrent use of a tool, may give rise to friction in the joint, thereby leading to inflammation.
Long-Time Pressure: Inflammation and pressure on the bursa are caused by prolonged knee kneeling.
Joint Injury or Trauma: A blow due to some fall and a direct strike on the joint can irritate the bursa, which leads to bursitis.
Overuse: Overuse of a joint in sports or other physical activities leads to bursitis.
Infection: Rarely, bacteria may infect the bursa to cause septic bursitis, often in the case of immunocompromised patients.

What are the risk factors for bursitis?

It is most common between 40 and older years.
Occupations and activities that involve repetitive movements.
Poor posture leads to over-stretching of the joints.
Previous surgeries or injuries within that joint.
Any systemic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, or gout.

Diagnosis of Bursitis

Diagnosing bursitis is a combination of clinical findings and examination. Experts will perform a thorough physical exam to find signs of swelling, redness, pain, and restricted movement. The tests to diagnose and rule out other conditions include:

MRI: It images the bursa and its surroundings to check if inflammation or damage is present.
X-Ray: X-rays are commonly done to rule out any bone fractures or joint conditions that cause symptoms like these.
Ultrasound: Bursa fluid might be checked or the intensity of inflammation by ultrasound.
Aspiration: In a few instances, your doctor may aspirate a small amount of bursa fluid for examination, particularly when infection is suspected.

What are the treatment options for bursitis?

The bursitis treatment depends on the type of bursitis. If the bursitis is aseptic, like those caused by strain, trauma, or tissue injury, the conservative methods are enough. The bursitis fades away on its own, and treatment is only required to manage pain and inflammation. The aseptic bursitis treatment includes:

RICE Method: It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation and is used to get rid of inflammation and pain.

Physical Therapy: It helps make the muscles surrounding the affected area stronger.

Pain Relief Medicine: They help relieve pain due to inflammation.

However, in case of septic bursitis, the treatment includes:

Antibiotics: To treat the infection caused by the bacteria.

Aspiration: To drain the fluid buildup with a needle under USG and then local anesthetic is injected to help reduce inflammation.

Surgical Drainage: To remove the bursa through a surgery called bursectomy.

Recovery and Rehabilitation for Bursitis

The recovery process for getting out of bursitis depends on how bad the condition is. Most people get well from bursitis with proper care without needing invasive treatments, but some cases require more extensive recovery plans.

Mild cases: May settle up in a few weeks on rest and anti-inflammatory medication.
Moderately severe cases: May take up to 6-8 weeks to fully recover through physiotherapy.
Extreme cases: May necessitate several months of rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Rehabilitation Tips

Rest: Limit movement and give the affected joint time to recover.
Ice: Apply ice packs to the impacted region to diminish swelling and alleviate discomfort.
Gentle Stretching: As pain due to the acute condition decreases, gentle stretching can be added to help regain flexibility and range of motion.
Strengthening Exercise: The muscles around the affected joint may be strengthened to prevent bursitis.
Gradual Return to Activity: As the level of pain subsides, the patient should gradually return to normal activities while avoiding overuse of the affected joint.

What are ways to prevent bursitis? Prevention Tips for Bursitis

To prevent bursitis, change your daily routine. This is vital if you feel pressure on your joints. These measures would greatly reduce your chances of getting this painful, deadly disease.

Avoid repeated movements or prolonged pressure against the joint.
Maintain proper posture and ergonomics when sitting or lifting something.
Take regular breaks when performing repetitive activities.
Stretch and warm up before physical activities.
Improve the muscle strength surrounding the joint to provide stability.

When to See a Doctor for Bursitis?

Seek medical treatment if you have bursitis that persists and does not show improvements with rest. You should consult a healthcare provider if:

The pain is severe and does not have relief with rest.
Significant swelling around the joint or swelling worsens.
You develop a fever with some joint pain which may be due to an infection.
You are unable to move the joint normally or, for instance, if the pain interferes with your daily activities.

Conclusion

If you have signs of bursitis, then the best time to start treatment is early. For proper care and a care plan that suits your case, consult Axis Clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does bursitis go away on its own?

Many mild bursitis cases can be treated with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. However, more serious cases require professional treatment, which may include physical therapy or injecting corticosteroids.

How long does it take for bursitis to heal?

Recovery time varies. Mild cases can improve within a few weeks, whereas moderate to severe cases may require 6-8 weeks or more of treatment and rehabilitation.

Does bursitis ever recur?

Bursitis is known to recur in case the original culprit of the problem has not been dealt with such as an overuse or repetitive movements. Preventive measures and treatment adherence prevent recurrence.

Is bursitis associated with arthritis?

While both conditions involve inflammation, bursitis affects the bursa itself, whereas arthritis is an inflammation of the joints themselves. Still, both conditions can cause joint stiffness and pain.