There are lots of conditions that people call bursitis -
lower back strain, sciatica, metatarsalgia, Achilles tendinitis,
heel-spur syndrome, sprained ankle, cervical neck strain,
frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, housemaid's knee, carpal tunnel
syndrome and lots of others.
A bursa however is a small sac of tissue similar to the synovial
tissue that lines the joints. The bursa sac contains a lubricating
fluid and he bursa is designed to ease the movement of muscle
across muscle or muscle across bone. "Housemaids knee"
is the name for prepatellar bursitis. This is where the bursa
in front of and just below the kneecap becomes inflamed. Olecranon
bursitis occurs over the elbow and subdeltoid bursitis occurs
at the shoulder.
Bursitis is therefore inflammation of the bursa and results
in pain, particularly when the area is pressed and heat and
redness is common. Sometimes there is swelling but not always.
Bursitis often follows an injury or repeated pressure to an
area or overuse. If the activity is discontinued then the
bursitis should heal over about 7 - 10 days. You can apply
some heat and some rest to ease the pain but do not hold the
affected part rigid. Warm baths often help. It is important
to gently work the affected part through its normal range
of movement a few times a day. However if the pain and problem
persists then go and see your Doctor. Your Doctor might prescribe
an anti-inflammatory drug or if it is particularly severe,
might inject the bursa with corticosteroids. These injections
are usually successful and not overly painful.
Remember none of the advice is intended to replace the advice of your Doctor or other healthcare practitioner. Please make sure you ask their advice before you follow any of our information or take any of the products on this site.
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