Bursitis

Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae, or small sacs of synovial fluid, in the body. Bursae functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. Healthy bursa create a smooth and almost frictionless gliding surface. With hundreds of them throughout the body they provide this surface for all motion, making movement normally painless. When bursitis takes hold, however, movement that relies on the inflamed bursa becomes rough and painful. Movement of tendons and muscles over the inflamed bursa causes it to become more inflamed, perpetuating the problem. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

Bursitis is commonly caused by repetition of movement or excessive pressure. Elbows and knees are the most commonly affected because they are rested upon more than many parts of the body with bursae and they also get the most repetitive use. Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI is often caused by Bursitis. Inflammation of bursae can also be caused by other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Scoliosis can also be a cause of bursitis of the shoulders although this is rare. Shoulder bursitis is more commonly due to overuse of the shoulder joint and muscles.

The other main cause of bursitis is traumatic injury, which can cause swelling of the bursae. The swelling itself causes irritation because the sac will no longer fit in the small area between the bone and the functionary. When the bone begins to increase pressure on the bursa, bursitis ensues.

Symptoms can vary from an ache and stiffness in the local area of the joint, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed bursa. With this condition, the pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the bursa and surrounding joint area can become stiffer the following day.

To treat bursitis depends on whether it has got infected. Bursitis that is not infected can be treated with ice compresses, rest, and antiinflammatory medications. Sometimes it requires aspiration of the bursa fluid. This involves removal of the fluid with a needle and syringe. In some cases the fluid is sent to the laboratory for further analysis.

If the bursitis is infected it requires even further evaluation and a much more aggressive treatment. Septic bursitis requires antibiotic therapy and repeated aspiration of the inflamed fluid may be required. Surgical drainage and removal of the infected bursa sac (bursectomy) may also be necessary. Generally, the adjacent joint functions normally after the surgical wound heals.

If you are suffering from Bursitis which you believe was caused due to your working environment then you could be entitled to compensation. Claiming compensation is your civil and legal right. Many people are worried about claiming because they believe it will affect their job, but employers have insurance to cover these type of incidents. If you lost wages due to suffering from Bursitis then you would be advised to claim compensation. Accident Consult work on a no win no fee basis so claiming won't cost you a penny. Our solicitors will not take the case on unless they are 99% sure they will win. To find out if your injury is in the 99% bracket give them a call today on 08081 68 69 70.

Tags: friction, inflammation, joints, knees, repetitive strain injury, rheumatoid arthritis, rsi, stiffness, tendons, traumatic injury