Bursite

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa. The bursa is a gel-filled sac located between a tendon and bone or skin, which reduces friction between adjacent structures during movement. There are about 150 bursa sacs in the human body. Some are more superficial and easily injured, while others are deeper and better protected. The most common bursitis occurs in the knee, shoulder, trochanteric, heel, and elbow. Bursitis can be caused by chronic trauma, infection, autoimmune diseases. During bursitis, the bursal membrane thickens, causing pain and swelling. Bursitis is usually treated with restricted physical activity, rest, pain medications. In some cases, glucocorticoid injections may be necessary. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment – bursa removal is required. If the cause of bursitis is infectious, it is treated with antibiotics and aspirations. Sometimes surgical joint lavage is necessary.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology