What is Bursitis?
In the body are structures called bursae, synovial lined inside, located in areas of friction or support between muscles or between them and the bones. Its function is to facilitate movement. In situations of mechanical irritation by single or repeated trauma may increase the production of synovial fluid, leading to inflammation of the pouch or bursitis. May also be involved in the course of rheumatic diseases.
Depending on their position and within the most common are:
- Trochanteric bursitis.
- Ischial bursitis.
- Patellar bursitis.
- Bursitis of anserine.
- Bursitis Achilles.
- Bursitis of hallux valgus (bunion).
The diagnosis is usually straightforward and is based on the questioning about the location and characteristics of pain and possible causative mechanisms and physical examination of the painful area. Sometimes, to the more complex forms, is needed to confirm the diagnosis with ultrasound or MRI.
In all cases, mechanisms should avoid triggers such as sitting or kneeling, use of proper footwear, protective work that may trigger it, and so on.
The anti-inflammatory always prescribed by a physician, usually relieve the pain. The rehabilitation treatments are effective in these processes, the use of thermotherapy and electrotherapy almost always leads to improvement. In many cases steroid injections into the bag is an effective therapy. The most common is the association of several of these treatments. In patellar bursitis with a large quantity of liquid can be carried puncture to evacuate the contents.
Only in cases where previous treatments fail and discomfort are disabling surgery will be used to perform an extraction of the bag.
