BURSITIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation of bursa, a soft fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion between tendons and bones.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Bursae, especially near the shoulders, elbows, knees, pelvis, hips or Achilles tendons.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults of all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Pain, tenderness and limited movement in the affected area with radiation of pain into the neck, arm, fingertips.
• Severe pain with movement of the arm.
• Fever (sometimes).

CAUSES

• Injury to a joint.
• Overuse of a joint.
• Strenuous, unaccustomed exercise.
• Calcium deposits in shoulder tendons with degeneration of the tendon.
• Acute or chronic infection.
• Arthritis.
• Gout.
• Unknown (frequently).

RISK INCREASES WITH

• People who are involved in vigorous and repetitive athletic training.
• Exercise or sports participants who suddenly increase their activity levels ("weekend warriors").
• Improper or overstretching.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid injuries or overuse of muscles whenever possible. Wear protective gear for contact sports.
• Appropriate warm-up and cool-down.
• Maintain a high fitness level.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• X-rays of the affected area.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Frozen joint or permanent limitation of a joint's mobility.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--This is a common--but not serious--problem. Symptoms usually subside in 7 to 14 days with treatment.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES

• RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression and elevation of affected joint). See RICE therapy in Appendix.
• Apply ice packs to the affected area during a flare-up or after receiving injections in the joint.
• After the acute stage, continued ice treatment (until inflammation subsides) or heat application may be recommended. If you use heat, take hot showers, use a heat lamp, apply hot compresses or a heating pad, or rub in deep-heating ointment.

MEDICATION--

Your doctor may prescribe:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Cortisone injections into the bursa to reduce inflammation.
• Pain relievers.

ACTIVITY--Rest the inflamed area as much as possible. If you must resume normal activity immediately, wear a sling until the pain becomes more bearable. To prevent a frozen joint (especially in the shoulder), begin normal, slow joint movement as soon as possible.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of bursitis.
• Pain increases, despite treatment.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.