Signs and Symptoms of Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the bursa sac within the joint becomes inflamed. This may be caused by traumatic factors that subject the joint to too much pressure, wear and tear and strenuous activities. The main function of the bursa sac along the joints is for lubricating the surrounding tissues to prevent friction during joint movement.
Common areas affected with bursitis are the large joints in the body. This includes the shoulder, elbow, knees and the hip joint. Major joints in the body that are involved with repetition of motion are usually affected.
Anti-inflammatory medications are the first line of treatment for bursitis. There are variable symptoms manifested with bursitis. One may feel the joints to be painful, achy, swollen with a tender area and it may appear red and hot to touch.
Joint pain is the most common symptom. The extent of pain experienced will depend on the rate of the bursa inflammation. Some may find minimal pain and pain only during movement while others experience pain which can be very painful enough to disturb sleep at night. Stiffness of the joint is also common which basically limits the movement of the joint affected.
Joint swelling and tenderness often occurs together. These symptoms make the affected joint painful to touch. One can also feel warmth along the affected area caused by the inflammatory condition along the bursa. The above symptoms may naturally result to limited range of motion. With increased level of pain, some choose not to touch and move the joint.
The basic initial symptom that occurs with bursitis is inflammation. Inflammatory symptoms include pain, redness, tenderness, soreness and swelling. Acute stage of bursitis manifest these symptoms. The symptoms may also vary according to which joint is affected.
Elbow Bursitis
Elbow bursitis is also called olecranon bursitis with swelling as the initial symptom. The swelling is often not obvious because the skin at the elbow region is quite elastic. As the inflammation gets worse, the bursa will increase in size making the swelling highly visible. Tenderness and redness on the affected area soon follow with pain associated with movements.
Heel Bursitis
The pain on the heel may extend along the calf muscles in heel bursitis. Once the pain radiates down the leg, it makes running, walking and jogging difficult to do.
Sharp, shooting pain is a common symptom that radiates along the hips and thighs in trochanteric or hip bursitis. The pain is often disturbing at night. The pain is further aggravated with increased body weight that applies more pressure along the hip joint.
Swelling and tender point alomg the knee joints are common in knee bursitis. The knee joint may also be warm to touch. Pain is associated with straining activities imposed along the knee joints.
Shoulder bursitis also subjects the affected person to night pain. One may have difficulty sleeping on the side of the affected shoulder. There is a limited shoulder motion such as lifting and performing overhead activities.
Medication treatment can best manage inflammation along the affected joints in bursitis. Physical therapy programs also help restore the joint functional activity.
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