Bursitis

The bursa are fluid filled sacs that sit around joints at the point of friction where pressure is maximum. These small hollows contain a little fluid. The bursa allow for free movement without stretching, forcing or straining the tissues. Bursitis is a problem created by the swelling of the bursa. There are 2 basic types of bursitis – acute and chronic.

Causes of Bursitis

Acute bursitis usually is the outcome of injury, friction or prolonged pressure. The bursa receives some form of trauma. The joint becomes red, swollen, painful and hot. The parts more prone to this form of bursitis are the knee and elbow. Chronic bursitis traditionally results from too much fluid or pressure on the bursa. As a result, the fluid builds up. As with acute bursitis, the knees and elbows are susceptible. In both instances, the result is the same. The bursae are subjected to inflammation resulting in pain and swelling.

Types of Bursitis

There are 3 major types of joint-related bursitis. These are prepatellar, infrapatellar and olecranon. Another type of chronic bursitis, called ganglion affects the ligaments of the wrist and ankle.

• Prepatellar Bursitis – This condition occurs directly over the kneecap – the patella. The bursa becomes inflamed producing a swelling at the kneecap. The damage to the bursa results from prolonged pressure on the kneecap as a result of kneeling too long in a single place. As a result, it is often called “housemaid’s knee” or “gardener’s knee.”
• Infrapatellar bursitis – This occurs just below the kneecap and over the tibia or upper shinbone. The other names for this type of bursitis are “clergyman’s knee” and “jumper’s knee.” The name for the former refers to the type of position a clergyman took when kneeling during prayer. Again, this type of bursitis is the result of the type of pressure placed on the bursa combined with the repetition of the action and length of time the motion is held and continued.
• Olecranon bursitis – this occurs over the elbow. The bursa is aggravated by the continued placement of weight on it and the type of pressure exerted in the action. The elbows will feel painful and hot if the bursa is affected.

Treatment of Bursitis

Treatment for bursitis involves rest. It also means wearing protective gear during the performance of some tasks. If you garden or kneel to perform some tasks with regularity and for a length of time, protect your knees. Wear protective kneepads. You can also change your position with regularity to reduce the stress on the bursa.

There are also several pharmaceutical options to reduce the swelling and inflammation. They include the following:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – these anti-inflammatory drugs will provide some relief. Types available easily are ASA, acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors – A form of NSAIDS One of the more recognized names if Celebrex.
• Corticosteroids – This group of anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called steroids, work quickly to reduce the swelling.
• Medical procedures – If the bursa and region are infected, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. He or she will also drain if puss accumulates.
• Surgery – It is possible to remove surgically the infected or affected bursa.

Conclusion

Bursitis is a painful medical condition involving the small fluid filled sacs around the joints, the bursa. If trauma affects the bursa, there is inflammation at the site. The result is joint pain and inflammation. Bursitis affects primarily the knees and the elbows.