Treating Bursitis

Bursitis is a painful inflammation of the bursa, a sac-like covering over the joints of the bone filled with a fluid acting as a lubricant for the joint. Typically it occurs due to the repeated movements or stress on the joints that results in damage to the bursa. It can also be the outcome of a bacterial (staphylococcus) infection. The bursa becomes inflamed and filled with excess fluid leading to a pressure on the surrounding tissue. The symptoms of bursitis include pain and tenderness associated with limited movement of the joint, swelling and redness of the area.

Bursitis is most often seen in heavy workers, athletes, sports persons and people exercising regularly without proper warm-up and cool-down periods. There are different types of bursitis depending on the area or the joint involved.

Shoulder bursitis or subacromial bursitis occurs due to an inflammation between the top of the arm bone (humerus) and the tip of the shoulder (acromion). The space between the bones houses the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa protecting the tendons. In some people this space is narrow so small thickenings of the tendons or bursa leads to bursitis. People resting on their elbows for a long time or bending their elbows time and again repetitively are prone to elbow bursitis or olecranon bursitis. Hip bursitis or trochanteric bursitis is a problem that causes pain on the upper part of the thigh. Bursitis of hip is commonly seen in runners. It also occurs as a result of a fall or post-surgical complication following hip fracture or total hip replacement. Knee bursitis or house maid’s knee (Pre patellar bursitis) and bursitis of the heel (retrocalcaneal bursitis) are other commonly seen types.

Treatment of bursitis is popularly called the RICE therapy. ‘Resting’ the affected joint, applying ‘Ice’ to the joint to reduce swelling, ‘Compression’ and ‘Elevation’ of the joint. If there is decreased or no response to this method, bursitis treatment is effected by administration of anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone injections. Extreme cases may also require surgical intervention where the excess fluid is drained similar to the technique of liposuction. For bursitis relief deep-heat therapy is also recommended. The home remedies available for the treatment of shoulder bursitis, elbow bursitis, bursitis stitnosis, hip and knee bursitis include application of ginger and various types of oils such as vitamin E oil, emu oil and castor oil. The painful condition usually improves after a week of bursitis treatment.