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Inflammation of the synovial bursa hinders the movement of tendons and muscles, and consequently leads to dysfunction of the motor apparatus. The risk of developing synovial bursitis is among others people who force the body to work in an unnatural position, e.g. incorrectly positioning their hands while working on the keyboard, or failing to warm up before training. Check the causes and symptoms of bursitis and how to treat it.
Synovial bursitisis an inflammation of the connective tissue sac, which is located between the abdomen of the muscle and the bone on which the muscle moves during movement. The synovial bursa produces a slippery substance called goo that reduces friction as muscles and tendons slide over the surface of the bones as you move and moisturizes the joints. As a result of inflammation, the synovial bursa becomes dysfunctional, and thus the efficiency of the motor apparatus decreases, most often the elbow, shoulder, hip and knee joints.
Bursitis - causes
The most common causes of synovial bursitis are overstrain and injuries, e.g. sudden movement by muscles not properly prepared for exercise (e.g. a strong jerk with a hand while playing tennis or with a leg while playing a ball). Therefore, the lack of warm-up before training increases the risk of this condition. Also, keeping joints in an unnatural, forced position (e.g. typing with badly positioned hands) can lead to the development of inflammation.
An infection such as syphilis or tuberculosis can also contribute to the development of bursitis. People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and other joint-damaging conditions are also at risk.
Another cause of synovial bursitis may be wearing too tight shoes. Then the Achilles tendon bursitis, which is located above the tendon attachment to the calcaneus, may become inflamed. On the other hand, long sitting on a hard surface may lead to inflammation of the sciatic bursa (the so-called weaver buttocks), which separates the gluteus medius muscle from the sciatic tumor. While kneeling ona hard surface may result in inflammation of the prepatellar bursa (the so-called maid's knee).
Bursitis - symptoms
Within the inflamed synovial bursa and the joint, the following appear:
- tenderness;
- pain during movement, which decreases in intensity during rest and may turn into stiffness;
- swelling;
- restriction of mobility;
In addition, a reservoir of fluid may appear above the damaged joint (e.g. in the case of bursitis of the elbow joint, it is formed from the back over the elbow joint).
These symptoms may occur suddenly or slowly increase.
Bursitis - diagnosis
The diagnosis should be made by an orthopedic surgeon or rheumatologist. Usually, an interview with the patient and a physical examination are sufficient to make a diagnosis. In order to exclude other diseases, e.g. damage to the bone elements of the joint, the doctor may order an X-ray. When an infection is suspected, a blood test and a fluid sample for smearing and culture are required.
Bursitis - treatment
The patient is given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (they can be taken both orally and topically - medications rubbed into the skin in the form of a gel), and in the case of a bacterial infection, also antibiotics. If medications do not help, the patient can be given glucocorticosteroids directly to the affected area (by injection). Compresses also bring relief (a towel soaked in cold water or ice wrapped in a towel and put on the swollen area). It is also necessary to relieve the joint. Exercises aimed at maintaining full mobility are helpful.
When treatment has failed or inflammation recurs, the doctor may decide to undergo surgical treatment. The procedure involves puncturing the bursa and removing the fluid from it in order to reduce the discomfort.