What is Bursitis?
Bursitis is the term that medical professionals use to describe inflammation in areas around certain musculoskeletal locations.
What is Bursitis? Does ROC treat Bursitis?
Bursitis is the term that medical professionals use to describe inflammation in areas around certain musculoskeletal locations. Bursitis is often very painful, especially with severe inflammation. The inflammation occurs in bursa, fluid filled sacs in the spaces between bones, muscles, and tendons. Bursae help to assist with reducing the pressure in locations where bones, tendons, and muscles are exposed to pressure.
The most common locations for bursitis are in the outside of the shoulder, back part of the elbow and outside of the hip. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that are exposed to excessive pressure, motion, and can be also due to deconditioning.
What are the symptoms of Bursitis?
If you have bursitis, the affected joint might:
- Feel achy or stiff
- Hurt more when you move it or press on it
- Look swollen and red
When should I seek evaluation at ROC for bursitis?
Consultation with a provider at ROC should be performed if you have symptoms of bursitis. These typically include pain, difficulty moving the arm or leg, pain with lying on the affected side (especially hip bursitis), swelling, and even redness. The pain is typically worse with exertion, and may or may not be relieved with rest.
What are the Causes of bursitis?
The most common causes of bursitis are repetitive motions or positions are associated with excessive pressure around a joint, or excessive use of a joint. Examples include leaning on the elbows, kneeling for a prolonged period, repeated throwing or using the arm overhead, and deconditioning. Bursitis can rarely be due to infection, connective tissue disease, or occur after trauma or surgery to an affected area.
What are the risk factors for bursitis?
The risk factors for bursitis include age, certain occupations and sports, inflammatory arthritis, deconditioning, diabetes, gout, and obesity.
Can Bursitis be prevented?
Some persons are more prone than others to develop bursitis. Most of the preventive strategies recommended to prevent or reduce the severity of bursitis involve common sense measures when certain activities are associated with bursitis. Examples of common sense measures include knee pads, proper body mechanics with lifting and carrying heavy objects, appropriate sports preparation (strengthening, stretching, recovery), and working techniques.
How does ROC treat bursitis?
Bursitis treatment involves a thorough history and examination to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment usually includes rest, ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and, when symptoms are severe, cortisone injections to reduce the inflammation. If treatment is refractory to these initial measures, ROC providers will provide direct access to Orthopedic consulting specialists to determine the need for more advance diagnostic and treatment techniques.
