Conditions

Bursitis

Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa. The bursae are small sacs found in connective tissue, usually in the vicinity of joints. These sacs are lined with membranes containing synovia, a fluid that acts to reduce friction between tendons and bones, between tendons and ligaments, and between other structures where friction is likely to occur.

Bursitis can occur as a result of prolonged stress, pressure, friction or injury to the membrane surrounding the joint, causing the fluid-filled bursa to become inflamed and swollen. When the enlarged sac presses against its neighboring joint, the pressure creates pain, which can be anywhere from mild to excruciating.

Bursitis is often known by other names such as "tennis elbow", "frozen shoulder", or "housemaid's knee."

Signs and Symptoms:

• Bursitis most often affects the shoulder, the hip, the elbow, and the knee. It can affect anyone, at any age. However, older people, especially athletes, are more likely than others to get this ailment. Bursitis is characterized by:
• Dull, persistent ache that increases with movement
• Rotation of the arm may be difficult if it is in the shoulder
• Condition is often worse at night
• Fever, swelling, and increased temperature of the overlying skin
• Swelling and fluid accumulation

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is usually accomplished through a physical examination and complete medical history review. Your doctor may order laboratory tests to check for possible infections. He or she may also want to rule out gout by ordering an analysis of bursal fluid for crystals. Another common procedure is to rule out rheumatic and connective tissue disease with any of the standard diagnostic tests. An x-ray may be used to rule out arthritic conditions. When pain is in the shoulder an EKG may be necessary to rule out referred cardiac pain.

Treatment Options:

Bursitis usually clears up but typically recurs. There are many traditional treatments that can help alleviate pain and thereby restore movement. However, new research and therapeutic approaches are beginning to concentrate on healing and regeneration.

Alternative treatments have long outpaced many traditional treatments for providing pain relief and restoration of movement. Often, a combination of traditional and alternative treatments works best.

Traditional Treatments:

• The primary treatment for an inflamed bursa is rest. Bursitis will often subside on its own after a few days rest. However, the following treatments might be needed:
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help combat pain and inflammation. Examples of these are - aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), ibuprofen (Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve), and piroxicam (Feldene). Some are available over-the-counter, others by prescription only. There are many side effects (although few are serious) associated with these drugs. Long-term use may contribute to joint destruction, however.
• If the pain is severe and fails to respond to ordinary measures, your physician may give you a local injection of an anesthetic for pain and/or a corticosteroid to bring down inflammation.
• If infection occurs, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic and drain the fluid from the bursa.
• To stop swelling from recurring, your physician may apply a pressure bandage.
• If all else fails and the condition continues to recur, your doctor may recommend a bursectomy. This is a surgical procedure in which the lining of the bursal sac is removed to prevent the condition from coming back.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Alternative therapies can often be used in conjunction with traditional treatments and often offer the best relief from pain.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Bromelain is a very effective anti-inflammatory. Take 250 to 400 mg four times daily between meals.
• Borage oil and flaxseed oil have notable anti-inflammatory action. Take 1,000 mg of either once or twice daily.
• Glucosamine is a natural alternative to prescription anti-inflammatories. Take 500 mg of glucosamine sulfate or hydrochloride three times daily for three to four months.
• Chondroitin sulfate enhances the activity of glucosamine. Take 500 mg twice daily.
• Proteolytic enzymes work to decrease inflammation and help relieve pain. Take as directed on product label.
• Calcium and magnesium is essential for bone and muscle function. A deficiency of magnesium can cause joint and muscle pain.
• Take 1,000 mg of calcium and 500 mg of magnesium per day.
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids promotes tissue healing, regeneration of connective tissue and collagen regeneration while acting as natural anti-inflammatory agents. Take 5,000 mg daily in divided doses with meals.
• Superoxide-dimustase reduced swelling and pain and inhibited synovial thickening which may be helpful in preventing and treating bursitis during clinical tests.
• Dl-phenylalanine helps to control pain and, in some studies, worked when conventional medications failed.
  

Alternative Therapies:

• Boswellia and bromelain both reduce inflammation.
• Horsetail, meadowsweet, and willow bark, combined in equal measure and taken three times daily, help with inflammation.
• An herbal combination of devil's claw, yucca, sarsaparilla, white willow bark, cayenne and horsetail is considered optimum for treating bursitis.
• A topical compress of castor oil can provide relief from stiff and painful joints.
• Use cayenne (capsicum) based ointments to relieve pain.
• Turmeric is a strong natural anti-inflammatory. Take 500 mg three times daily.
• Homeopathic remedies such as benzoicum acidum, bryonia, chelidonium majur and others may be very beneficial. Contact a homeopathic specialist for a treatment developed especially for you.
• The accupressure point stomach 38 can help alleviate pain in the shoulder.

General Recommendations:

• Rest
• Wrapping the joint with an elastic bandage may help alleviate discomfort.
• Thyme used in a hot bath may help promote healing.

Warnings:

If bursitis does not respond to treatments contact your doctor as there may be another health problem at issue.