Bursitis refers to inflammatory lesions. It develops in periarticular bags located between the bones and tendons. As practice shows, most often the lesion is observed in the hip, elbow, knee joint and in the region of the Achilles tendon. These inflammations are very common among athletes. Usually, bursitis disappears within one, at most, two weeks and is not a serious threat to life or health. However, it should be noted that repeated trauma can trigger the development of chronic bursitis, which can permanently impede movement and cause pain.
Injury, as a rule, leads to infection by pathogenic agents of the cavity. It can be streptococcus or staphylococcus (with nonspecific bursitis). Gonococcus, tuberculosis and others can also be causative agents. In this case, the disease is classified as a specific bursitis. Treatment in various cases is prescribed accordingly.
Inflammation is accompanied by a number of characteristic signs.
The swelling in the affected area has a soft consistency and can reach a size of the order of seven to ten centimeters. On palpation, fluctuation is detected in the lesion site. The manifestation of pain and signs of general intoxication are also characteristic, which also include fever and malaise.
With the spread of inflammation to neighboring areas of the tissue, a significant deterioration in well-being and the formation of pus accompanying bursitis, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.
Diagnosis of inflammation is possible with an external examination by a specialist. Clarification of the diagnosis is made by taking a puncture from the focus of inflammation. In addition, with the help of research methods, the nature of the exudate and the pathogen that caused bursitis are revealed. Treatment is prescribed by a specialist after clarifying the nature of the disease and the symptoms that accompany it.
Inflammatory processes between the Achilles tendon and the skin often occur in women who prefer high heels. In this case, a manifestation of pain of a periodic nature is observed.
With a diagnosis of acute bursitis, treatment is limited to applying a tight fixative bandage that prevents the subsequent traumatic effect on the periarticular bag. The patient may be prescribed antibiotic therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs. The causative agent of the disease is very sensitive to the components of these drugs. It should be noted that in the treatment of inflammation of a specific nature, specific antibiotics are also prescribed, depending on the type of pathogen. With the manifestation of resistance to the therapy used, it is possible to prescribe corticosteroids, the introduction of which is carried out in the bag cavity.
Patients with a diagnosis of purulent ulnar bursitis need more serious treatment. In this case, the patient is referred to a surgeon who punctures the bag, rinses it and administers antibiotics and corticosteroids directly to the inflamed area. Subsequent therapy is carried out taking into account all the rules of purulent surgery. Severe forms of the disease involve therapeutic measures in stationary conditions.
Chronic manifestation of the disease involves surgical intervention. This is due to frequent relapses of inflammation in this form of the disease.
When diagnosing the disease “calcaneal bursitis”, the treatment includes physiotherapeutic procedures. Rest is required. The lack of timely treatment of the disease often leads to the development of its chronic form. The neglected stages of the disease bring discomfort to the patient. In many cases, with chronic forms of calcaneal bursitis, surgery is prescribed.