Bursitis is a chronic or acute inflammation of a bursa. The movement of tendons is facilitated by the bursa in the bony prominences. Bursae could be found in several locations of the body, wherever you would find the tendons gliding over the bony areas. Bursitis in shoulder is one of the most common forms of the condition and is sometimes referred to as “sub-acromial bursitis”, “bicipital tendonitis” and “supraspinatus tendonitis”. Apart from the shoulder, there are various areas in the body which are prone to bursa problems. More often than not, the joint areas are used actively, such as the hip, elbow and knee.
When the elbow is affected with bursitis, it is also referred to as miner’s elbow or olecranon bursitis. On the other hand, when the knee is affected with the condition, it is called a housemaid’s knee or suprapatella bursitis. Pain in the upper thigh area and gluteal would be caused when the pain is due to ischial or iliopectineal, also known as the weaver’s or tailor’s bottom. Great toe areas and Achilles tendon are the other areas which could be affected. The causes of bursitis are unknown; however the condition is known to have some inflammatory origins. Excessive exercise, overexertion, inflammation because of arthritis, repetitive motions, gout or rheumatoid arthritis could be a few reasons causing bursitis in shoulder. A shoulder joint happens to be a complex system of ligaments, tendons and muscles. These organs conjunctively allow the arm to move in different directions. If any of these parts are injured, it could easily lead to swelling, pain and restricted motion. It is quite possible to have bursitis in shoulder with other injuries in the shoulder including muscle tears and tendonitis. Shoulder bursitis could also be caused with some of the common sports such as volleyball, racquetball, tennis and baseball.
Rotator cuff and deltoid muscle are the two most familiar muscle groups in the shoulder. The deltoid muscles are responsible for moving your arm in the upward direction, away from the body. On the other hand, the rotator cuff consists of four muscles which allow rotation of the arm. The role of bursa is to absorb force and shock on the shoulder. The shoulder consists of more than one bursa. The largest bursa is called the subdeltoid bursa, which is one region that is more likely to cause the problem. The subdeltoid bursa is also called the subacromial bursa. When the larger bursa is irritated or inflamed, it becomes difficult to move the shoulder or perform regular activities.
There is extreme pain as well as inflammation in acute bursitis in shoulder. The patient may experience a sharp increase in pain while moving the joints and there is limited movement as well. The condition may become chronic if there are increased episodes of bursitis attacks. In the case of chronic bursitis, the bursa is thickened and the adhesions would readily develop. At such a point, there will be restricted motion. The muscles might also become weak and atrophied. If bursitis in shoulder worsens with time, the patient could also sustain a frozen shoulder due to limited motion. The symptoms of bursitis in shoulder are similar to capsulitis and tendonitis. There are a few things you must consider, if you wish to prevent the shoulder pain from becoming severe.
Diagnosis
Your doctor would perform an exam as well as a series of manual tests. One of these manual tests is also known as an impingement test. This test would determine whether the inflammation is present in the tendons or the bursa. In order to diagnose bursitis in shoulder, it might be necessary to perform x-rays or blood tests. An ultrasound is one of the most commonly performed tests to identify bursitis in shoulder. In order to obtain the best treatment, you must first identify the presence of the condition as well as its severity level.
Treatment Options
In all forms of bursitis in shoulder, rest is the key to faster recovery. You must have complete rest for the first two days. In addition, you must not put your arm in the sling. You can hook your thumb in a belt or your shirt, so as to prevent pressure on the shoulder joint. To reduce swelling and inflammation you need to apply some ice-cold applications for the next two days, 3-4 times a day. In order to prevent the injured joint from being frozen, you must increase gentle movement. Start exercising slowly, to strengthen your muscles and ligaments, in order to restore your standard range of motion. After the initial injury, you can also apply heat on the affected part, so as to improve circulation. In all kinds of bursitis in shoulder, it is essential to consult your physician before getting started on all kinds of treatment.
Based on the severity of your condition, the doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory or pain medications. In most cases, physical therapy is advised to patients with bursitis in shoulder. These therapies are to be performed by a chiropractor, a physical therapist, or osteopath. Other holistic methods of treatment include acupuncture as well as natural supplements, in order to support the tissues in the shoulder in order to bring it to normal function. In severe cases of bursitis, arthroscopic surgery is to be performed in order to remove the bursa. In accordance to your condition, the physician may resort to one or all forms of treatment, in order to gain faster results.