Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa - a small, fluid-filled sac located beneath the skin and over the joints. The bursa acts as a cushion, reducing friction and allowing smooth movement between tendons, muscles and bones but when inflamed, bursitis causes pain, swelling and discomfort in the affected area.
In other words, bursitis is a condition in which the fluid bags
called bursae around our joints become inflamed. This bursa acts as a cushion
between our joints and bones, which makes it easier to move but when this bursa
becomes inflamed, it is called bursitis and generally, the problem of bursitis
is seen most in the shoulder, elbow and hip.
Symptoms:
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Indrajeet Agrawal, Director
– Rheumatology at Marengo Asia Hospitals in Gurugram, shared, “Bursitis is
primarily characterised by pain and stiffness surrounding the inflamed bursa,
which can cause discomfort and difficulty moving. Additionally, the afflicted
area could seem red, bloated and sensitive to the touch. Bursitis typically
affects the shoulders, elbows and hips but it can also happen in places like the
knees and the region around the big toes.”
Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Akhilesh Yadav, Associate
Director - Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Max Hospital in Vaishali,
listed the symptoms as:
1. Swelling - Swelling is a major symptom of bursitis.
The affected area becomes swollen and the area becomes red. Due to swelling,
heat may also be felt in that area. Even touching the swollen area causes pain.
2. Pain - The most common symptom of bursitis is
pain. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it causes pain. This pain occurs in the
area where there is swelling. When
you move that part or use it for any work, the pain increases,
like this pain occurs in the knee, then the pain can increase when walking or
running.
3. Difficulty in moving - When there is swelling in
the bursa, there is stiffness in the joints. This causes difficulty in moving.
For example, if it occurs in the shoulder, it becomes difficult to lift or
rotate the arm. Due to stiffness in the joints, it becomes difficult to do everyday
tasks.
4. Weakness - Due to bursitis, weakness is felt in the
affected area. This weakness creates difficulty in moving that part. People are
unable to function properly due to fatigue and weakness. For example, if it
occurs in the heels, one may feel tired and weak while walking in the legs.
Causes:
Dr Indrajeet Agrawal revealed, “Repetitive motions, such mopping
floors or spending a lot of time kneeling, can cause bursitis. Infections by
bacteria, gout, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among other
illnesses that might cause it. Bursitis is more common in older people,
diabetics, heavy drinkers and people with impaired immune systems.”
Dr Akhilesh Yadav elaborated -
1. Overuse: Overuse of a particular joint can cause
inflammation of the bursa.
2. Injury: Injury or shock can cause inflammation
of the bursa.
3. Infection: Sometimes bursitis can also be caused by
bacteria or other infections.
4. Arthritis: Arthritis or other joint diseases can
also cause bursitis.
Diagnosis:
According to Dr Indrajeet Agrawal, bursitis diagnosis requires a
thorough medical history and physical examination. Blood tests, bursa fluid
analysis and imaging studies like MRIs and ultrasounds are further diagnostic
procedures that can determine the amount of inflammation and rule out other
illnesses.
Treatment:
Dr Indrajeet Agrawal highlighted, “Conservative therapy is
effective in the majority of bursitis patients. NSAID gels or anti-inflammatory
medicines, cold packs, and resting the afflicted area can all help reduce
symptoms. In rare instances, if an infection is detected, a corticosteroid
injection or antibiotics might be required. Strength and mobility can also be
restored with the help of physiotherapy. Surgery is not always necessary,
although it is an option if all other therapies are unsuccessful.”
Prevention:
Dr Indrajeet Agrawal suggested, “Avoiding repetitive motions and
treating underlying diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are key to preventing
bursitis.
Bursitis can also be prevented by adopting protective clothing and
maintaining good posture when engaging in activities.”
Dr Akhilesh Yadav advised, “Some important measures can be adopted
to avoid bursitis. First of all, the joints should be given more rest, so that
the swelling can reduce. Applying ice on the swollen area provides relief from
pain and swelling. Doing light and proper exercise maintains the strength of
the joints. It is important to adopt safety measures to protect joints from
injury. Wearing proper and comfortable shoes reduces stress on the feet. By
adopting these measures you can avoid bursitis and keep your joints healthy.”
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