In the article, we consider the causes, symptoms, treatment of foot bursitis. Photos of patients with such an ailment will also be presented.
Bursitis of the foot is an inflammation of any of the synovial bags of the foot. Most often, bursa are localized in the area of the lower part of the calcaneus, Achilles tendon and I metatarsophalangeal joint. Pathology develops due to excessive load, microtrauma, flat feet, metabolic disorders, congenital malformations, endocrine diseases, infectious diseases, arthritis. Manifested by edema and pain of soft tissues. There may be local hyperemia. If an infection has occurred, then the pains acquire a strong intensity, signs of general intoxication join them. Foot bursitis is diagnosed on the basis of x-ray data, clinical presentation, CT and MRI. The course is most often chronic, but there are also acute forms. The treatment of foot bursitis is traditional: NSAIDs, load limitation, orthopedic shoes, blockades and physiotherapy. In some cases, an operation that eliminates the concomitant disease is required.
Risk Factors and Causes
The following phenomena cause bursitis:
- Penetration of infection into the joint cavity. Pathogenic microorganisms spread through the blood and lymph vessels from inflamed foci (tonsillitis, osteomyelitis, pressure sores, skin diseases) or from the wound surface (with injuries).
- The main pathogens are streptococci and staphylococci.
- The reasons are mechanical. Deformation, compression of the synovial bag due to congenital malformations and joint injuries cause bursitis.
- Hormone imbalance.
- Metabolic disorders (gout), which are accompanied by salt deposits in the joints.
Provoking factors in pathology:
- wearing the wrong and tight shoes;
- violation of posture and spinal disease;
- overweight person;
- valgus and varus feet, flat feet;
- weak immunity;
- injuries
- recent infectious diseases;
- hypothermia;
- playing sports;
- arthrosis and arthritis;
- increased risk with age;
- autoimmune diseases.
Below, we consider how the treatment of symptoms of foot bursitis occurs. The photo does not reflect all the unpleasant sensations that the patient experiences.
Types of disease
Bursitis according to the type of treatment of the disease is classified into:
- acute, which occurs due to trauma or infection;
- chronic, arising from arthritis and arthrosis, with mechanical influence;
- recurrent - as a result of incomplete therapy of acute bursitis.
By the type of exudate, bursa are distinguished: purulent-hemorrhagic; serous fibrinous; purulent; serous.
By the location of the inflammation process:
1. Achilles tendon bursitis. It is observed more often than other species, due to the process occurring at the site of the Achilles tendon fixation. It is characteristic for athletes and overweight people. Also appears when wearing uncomfortable and oppressive shoes. There is obstructed movement in the ankle and ankle.
2. Thumb bursitis is noted in people with flat feet and women who often wear narrow shoes and a high heel that deforms the foot, and the finger eventually deviates to the side of the rest. A bulging “bone” appears, it is often injured and leads to disease. It happens:
- positional - observed with arthrosis, in which the joint and its bones thicken and grow;
- structural - arises as a result of an uneven distribution of the load on the muscles near the joints.
3. Bursitis of the little finger appears with flat feet, due to tight shoes, reduced muscle tone. The foot, as in the previous case, changes shape: the finger moves away from the others, while the joint sticks out.
4. Sublingual bursitis. It arises as a result of strong physical exertion, during sports, injuries. The joint bag located in the calcaneal tuber is inflamed. Often accompanied by plantar fasciitis.
Treatment of bursitis of the foot should be timely.
Characteristic symptoms
Bursitis of the foot has the following manifestations:
- a change in the articular form due to severe swelling, which is explained by the presence of exudate in the synovial bag;
- strong shooting, throbbing and bursting pain, which radiates and intensifies with palpation, with a long stay without movement and at night;
- redness of the skin over the affected area;
- local hyperthermia;
- limitation of limb functioning and pain contracture;
- difficulty walking
- intoxication of the body, in which there are: an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees; malaise and weakness; inflammation of adjacent lymph nodes; swelling; nausea.
The symptoms and treatment of bursitis of the toes are interconnected. The photo shows bursitis of the little finger.
Diagnostic Methods
With painful manifestations, you need to contact a specialist. The diagnosis is made on the basis of information after the examination: palpation; inspection; interview. Instrumental methods: MRI; radiography; joint bag puncture; Ultrasound
Laboratory methods: microscopic analysis of exudate; biochemistry; general blood analysis.
In some cases, bacteriological culture of the fluid extracted from the inflamed area may be necessary to determine the sensitivity to antibiotic drugs and the pathogen.
Foot bursitis treatment
Therapy of foot bursitis is determined by the type of inflammation and the features of the process (chronic or acute), the area of its development. It is very important to establish the cause of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Drug treatment
The treatment of big toe bursitis is based on the use of the following types of drugs:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate swelling, inflammation and pain syndrome. Capsules and tablets for oral administration (Nalgezin, Ketorol, Etodin Fort), injection solutions (Diclofenac, Ketonal), gels and creams (Ortofen, Voltaren, Indovazin) are used ) for application externally.
- In some cases, with severe inflammation, the use of corticosteroids (Hydrocortisone, Phlosterone, Kenalog) is required, in the form of local injections into the affected area.
- Eryotropic treatment aimed at eliminating the causes of the disease: antibiotics, if the lesion is of an infectious nature; with arthrosis - chondroprotectors ("Teraflex", "Structum"); drugs that reduce uric acid levels in gout (Allopurinol, Potassium Orotat).
Surgical method
Surgical treatment of foot bursitis is carried out if: conservative treatment is ineffective; purulent processes begin; dangerous rupture of the Achilles tendon; a large volume of exudate.
Types of operation:
- Partial or complete bursectomy, in which the pus is removed, the bag is washed, drainages are placed. As a result of the procedure, the deformation of the foot is eliminated. Intervention is done under general or local anesthesia. When it ends, apply a plaster cast.
- Puncture of the joint cavity to remove excess fluid with further washing with antiseptic solutions or antibiotics.
In the treatment of bursitis of the little toe of the foot, for example, physiotherapy is often prescribed.
Physiotherapy
When the main stages of traditional or surgical treatment are completed, physiotherapeutic therapy of bursitis is prescribed to consolidate the result.
Laser treatment accelerates metabolism, anesthetizes, improves blood circulation, and promotes the appearance of synovial fluid.
Electrophoresis - the use of direct current in order to transfer drugs to the depths of tissues. Reduces puffiness and eliminates soreness.
UHF reduces swelling and inflammation. It can be used in the acute stage.
Shock wave treatment enhances lymph outflow, stimulates metabolic processes and blood circulation, destroys calcifications.
Thanks to ultrasound, the formation of granulation tissue is accelerated, the infiltrates resolve.
Paraffin baths apply heat to the affected area.
What else is used in the treatment of bursitis of the toe?
Massage
Used in the rehabilitation period. With bursitis of the foot, it is done in a prone position. First, the lumbar region and buttocks are worked out, then the femoral muscles and lower legs. Last of all, go to the foot. Muscle tone rises, lymphatic drainage effect is produced, motor function is restored.
Exercise therapy
Physical culture during treatment is also an effective rehabilitation tool. Exercises are prescribed in which the individual program is specially selected for the patient. First, they are done in a medical institution under the guidance of a doctor, then at home on their own.
Big toe bursitis is also treated at home.
Folk methods
Alternative medicine has proven itself in the treatment of foot bursitis. Effectiveness can only be achieved at the first stage of the inflammation process:
- Coniferous baths relieve pain.
- Applying compresses of grated raw potatoes to the inflamed area for an hour removes swelling.
- Cabbage leaf reduces pain when applied. You need to make a few cuts or slightly beat it off with a wooden hammer or rolling pin.
- Propolis therapy. One part of the product and two parts of butter are mixed, heated in a water bath. A compress is made, in the form of heat, the mass is applied to the affected area. Manipulation is done twice a day. After the procedure, you wrap your leg warmly, it is recommended to stay at home for a while.
Treating bursitis of the foot at home can be very effective.
Possible consequences
When a person decides to cope on his own and not go to the doctors, he puts his health at risk. The main danger is that the disease can cause various complications with the ineffectiveness of the treatment method chosen independently. A person can do different procedures, apply compresses, simply wasting time, since they do not have the proper effectiveness to eliminate joint inflammation. Because of this, the following complications may develop:
- Joint immobilization, due to which the limb will not be able to move. The patient may become incapacitated, the quality of life will deteriorate significantly, and even up to a person becoming disabled.
- Infection of other organs. It must be remembered that bursitis is a process of inflammation, and the body is one. That is why inflammation from one organ or site can spread to the rest. This is fraught with life-threatening diseases: osteomyelitis, purulent arthritis, necrosis of the wall of the joint bag, abscess or sepsis. It is very difficult to stop the blood poisoning and save the person. Do I need to risk and provoke such terrible consequences in the body?
- Violation of the activity of internal organs. Bursitis is always characterized by pain, and therefore sooner or later any patient who ignores the disease begins to take painkillers. However, they do not cure, and the process of inflammation only intensifies. Thus, the pain will also become stronger, the person will increase the dose and take drugs more often. This will ultimately lead to impaired activity of the kidneys and liver, gastric ulcer and other diseases.
Thus, self-medication is very dangerous for the patient. That is why it is recommended to immediately go to the doctor who will tell you the correct treatment. Thanks to this, a person will not only get rid of the disease, but will also be able to avoid complications dangerous to health and life.
We examined the symptoms and treatment of foot bursitis. Talk about prevention.
Prevention
To prevent bursitis, do the following:
- Treat the underlying disease that affects the synovial bag.
- Wear comfortable shoes made from natural materials. Avoid tight socks and high heels.
- Correctly and timely treat injuries, treat the skin with an antiseptic for cuts, abrasions, scratches.
- Keep track of weight.
- During sports activities with a strong load on the legs, use a bandage.
- With valgus and varus feet and flat feet, wear orthopedic shoes.
- Do not overload with physical labor.
- Time to sanitize foci of chronic infection.
- Do not supercool.
The prognosis depends on various circumstances: the stages of the change in the inflamed tissues; individual body resistance; pathology spread rate.
Negative consequences are noted with the acute nature of the disease and the complications arising against this background. Chronic bursitis is able to recur after surgery. The most important thing is the timely treatment of pathology.
If you are treated at home, do not forget about visits to the doctor.
The article presented the symptoms and treatment of foot bursitis.