The
bursa is a structure that is found mostly around areas where muscle and
tendons slide over joints. It is the bursa that helps lubricate these
sliding motions to prevent damage to the underlying bony structures.
When this action is compromised, the inflammation that results is
referred to as Bursitis. The most common areas where bursitis occurs
are the shoulder, elbow, hip, and the kneecap. Bursitis tends to get
worse the more these joints are moved.
A
common cause
of bursitis is from the overuse of a joint, especially when the joint
is under the strain of excessive and repetitive use. Placing too much
continuous pressure on a bursa can also cause bursitis. For instance,
the bursa that is found in the back of the elbow can become inflamed by
resting on the elbows for extended periods of time.
Another
cause of bursitis is traumatic injury. Trauma such as a fall on the
shoulder, elbow, hip, or the knee could create this condition. As the
bursa swells, the normal function to decrease friction is decreased.
This causes any movement of the joint to be painful. If too much
swelling remains in the bursa for an extended period of time, calcium
salts will invade the region and eventually create a more chronic
condition knows as calcific bursitis.
Bursitis
can be
diagnosed by a chiropractor using history, simple examination, and by
taking a x-ray of the involved joint. The calcific form of bursitis
will show on the x-ray. The extent of calcium deposits within the bursa
can easily be visualized on the film. The range of motion of the joint
and the amount of palpable (feel) swelling around the joint will help
determine the extent of the bursitis condition.
Your
Doctor of Chiropractic can help decrease the inflammation and improve
the gliding action to the muscles and tendons surrounding the joint.
Chiropractic manipulation to the involved joint, therapies like
alternating hot and cold packs, ultrasound, passive range of motion,
and massage may be considered as part of your course of treatment. Even
the more difficult form of calcific bursitis can be treated by slowly
breaking down the calcium deposits and applying therapies like passive
motion or motion under mild traction to circulate the salts out of the
joint tissue. Provided treatment is continued so that improvement can
be achieved, the return of the calcium deposits should be limited.