Elbow bursitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the synovial bag. The causes of its occurrence are increased stress, microtrauma, some diseases.
A soft seal forms in the inflamed elbow joint . In the acute period, sharp pain appears and signs of inflammation are observed. The chronic form is characterized by slight pain and stiffness of movement in the absence of severe inflammation. When an infection is attached, swelling, severe pain and intoxication occur. The diagnosis is made on the basis of available signs, and if necessary, puncture, radiography, and tomography are performed. Treatment is carried out conservatively or through surgery.
Disease feature
Symptoms and treatment of joint bursitis can be very different, it all depends on the characteristics of the disease. Inflammation can be aseptic or purulent, proceed in acute or chronic form. Often develops due to microtrauma or joint overload. Appears more often in athletes. Basically, the disease affects young people. At the same time, men suffer much more often than women.
Bursa is a slit-like formation that contains a small amount of fluid and is located next to the protruding areas of bone tissue. It performs a kind of shock absorber function, protecting the surrounding tissue from excessive friction or pressure. With microtrauma in the bursa, inflammation occurs, and its inner shell begins to actively produce fluid. As a result of this, it takes the form of a dense sac and begins to protrude.
With a prolonged course of the disease, adhesions form with adjacent tissues, and foci of fibrosis are observed in the capsule, and sometimes a calcification process occurs. With the penetration of infection in the bursa, inflammation of a purulent nature develops, which spreads to adjacent tissues and organs.
Main classification
Treatment of bursitis of the elbow largely depends on the form of the course of the disease. Doctors distinguish an aseptic and infectious type of disease. Aseptic bursitis can be traumatic and post-traumatic. The cause of the traumatic form of bursitis is trauma. A ligament rupture or sprain can provoke a disease.
Post-traumatic inflammation occurring in the synovial sac manifests itself against the background of changes provoked by trauma. Often the disease is diagnosed at the stage of rehabilitation after a previous injury. With this form of bursitis, pathogens are not found in the joint cavity.
An infectious type of lesion appears after the penetration of pathogens into the bursa. Often provoke inflammation of staphylococcus and gonococcus. For treatment, antibacterial agents are used.
Bursitis of the elbow joint is divided into clinical course. They may be:
The acute course of the disease is characterized by severe symptoms, intoxication and a sharp increase in temperature. Severe inflammation can provoke a malfunction of the internal organs. The acute form generally resolves on its own in 1-2 weeks. However, repeated trauma can provoke the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Chronic bursitis is accompanied by mild symptoms. Signs of the course of the disease are observed for a very long time. Recurrent form occurs with periodic exacerbations. They can be caused by infection, injury or physical exertion.
There is also a certain classification of bursitis, which is divided by the nature of the exudate. Inflammation of the synovial sac can be purulent, serous and hemorrhagic.
Serous bursitis is formed at the very initial stage of the course of the disease. In the course of inflammation, a significant amount of pathological fluid is released. According to available characteristics, it resembles a synovial fluid. From an excess of fluid, the bursa is inflated and resembles a subcutaneous tumor.
Purulent bursitis is diagnosed if purulent microorganisms are found in the exudate. Over time, they can penetrate into the synovial cavity through small abrasions on the skin from a nearby focus of purulent infection. Sometimes it can spread even beyond the boundaries of the bursa, provoking phlegmon or purulent arthritis.
Fibrous effusion is characterized by the presence of protein, from which then a blood clot forms. The hemorrhagic form of the disease is characterized by the fact that the fluid inside the bursa has a reddish tint, since it contains red blood cells. This form of the disease arises as a result of injuries. In addition, a mixed form of the disease may occur.
Causes of occurrence
Regardless of the symptoms and treatment of bursitis, the causes of its occurrence are mainly associated with constant physical activity. The disease is mainly found in people who overload the joint in training. In addition, bursitis is diagnosed in people who are constantly forced to make uniform movements with the elbow joint.
The likelihood of developing the disease increases with age. The pathological process can be triggered by various kinds of inflammatory, endocrine and autoimmune disorders, in particular, such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- gout;
- lupus erythematosus;
- psoriasis;
- scleroderma;
- Crohn's disease.
Negatively affects the general condition of the bursa:
- poisoning;
- prolonged hypothermia;
- overweight;
- allergy.
When an allergic reaction occurs, a fairly significant amount of antibodies is released. In the acute phase, inflammation develops.
The main symptoms
Regardless of the form of bursitis, the symptoms in all cases will be very unpleasant and painful. Among the main features you need to highlight such as:
- swelling in the area of inflammation;
- swelling;
- redness;
- temperature rise.
There may also be additional symptoms, which manifests itself in the form of sweating, headache, apathy, weakness, loss of appetite.
If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not carry out treatment, the symptoms of bursitis of the elbow joint will only increase. In this case, the joint bag significantly increases in size, the mobility of the arm worsens, and its bending becomes painful.
Diagnostics
Treatment of elbow bursitis is carried out only after a comprehensive diagnosis, as this will allow you to choose the required treatment technique. The doctor conducts a visual examination, after which he prescribes a laboratory and instrumental examination.
Laboratory methods include the delivery of blood and urine tests. Instrumental techniques are used, namely:
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- tomography;
- puncture.
Ultrasound helps determine the size of the bursa and its contents. This study also helps to distinguish inflammation from other possible neoplasms in this area. Tomography is considered a highly effective technique that helps to study in detail the anatomy of the synovial bag.
Puncture helps determine the cause of the acute inflammatory process. The procedure is carried out in a hospital with a thin needle for injection. The synovial elbow bag has a shallow location. In this case, the liquid substance is removed from the inflamed cavity of the bag, after which the pain becomes weaker.
Treatment feature
Methods of treating bursitis of the elbow imply the use of conservative techniques with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. In cases where all these agents do not give any results or the disease has become chronic with the replacement of the accumulated fluid with connective tissue, an operation is performed. In both cases, limb mobility is strictly limited by fixing bandages.
In addition, physiotherapy is used, as well as alternative methods, so you can quickly and efficiently get rid of the existing problem.
Drug therapy
If you suspect bursitis of the elbow, treatment should begin with immobilization of the arm. Then the articulation is fixed with the help of scarves or pressing orthopedic dressings. With fairly severe injuries, a plaster cast can be used. Sometimes after an insignificant state of rest, pain decreases and the use of medications is not required.
If puffiness is insignificant, then “Fastum gel”, Vishnevsky ointment, “Finalgon” are used. The drug is applied to the inflamed and affected joint. In the acute form of this disease, the use of external agents is strictly prohibited, as this can provoke swelling.
In order to anesthetize and reduce signs of inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs are used. If a little fluid has accumulated in the synovial sac and there is no severe pain, then Diclofenac, Ibuprofen ointments are used. They are applied directly to the affected and inflamed joint. However, treatment of elbow bursitis with ointments can be used only if there are no open wounds on the skin.
If the symptomatology manifests itself quite clearly, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. Tablets are taken after eating to reduce the negative effects on the digestive system. In the early days, treatment of bursitis of the joints can be carried out by intramuscular injection. They are also recommended for patients with gastrointestinal diseases.
Surgical intervention
Treatment of the disease of the elbow bursitis is carried out with the help of an operation, however, a similar technique is resorted to in the most advanced case and in the chronic course of the disease. Such an intervention is performed under local anesthesia. There are two types of surgery, namely: open and arthroscopic.
With the open method, the use of special devices is not required, and it takes all this time about 1 hour. Affected areas are removed through an incision, and then sutured. Rehabilitation takes 1-2 weeks.
Arthroscopic method is considered more effective. Surgical devices are inserted through small incisions into the cavity, with the help of which the removed tissue is removed. Rehabilitation after applying this technique takes only a few days.
Other techniques
In the treatment of bursitis, an important role is played by physiotherapeutic techniques, which are widely used in medicine. Physiotherapy is prescribed not only at the initial stage of the disease, but also after surgery. The main goal of such procedures is to eliminate inflammation, pain and swelling. This allows you to recover much faster. During therapy, electrophoresis, UHF, magnet are used.
Treatment of bursitis of the elbow at home implies the implementation of physiotherapy exercises. It helps the patient recover much faster, as well as normalize blood circulation in the problem area. At the very beginning, physical education is carried out under the supervision of a trainer, and then gradually you can proceed to the independent treatment of elbow bursitis at home with the help of special exercises.
Along with drug therapy, it is recommended to use alternative medicine. Treatment of elbow bursitis with folk remedies helps to cope with a mild form of the disease in just 10-15 days. With more serious signs of the disease, you should not self-medicate, as this can lead to complications.
In the treatment of elbow bursitis with folk remedies, you can apply such recipes:
- propolis compress;
- horse chestnut balm;
- salt compress.
Tincture has long been used for treatment of the elbow joint and has good reviews from patients. Lotions are applied to the sore spot for several days, 1 time per day.
Treatment of elbow bursitis with folk remedies implies the use of tinctures prepared from horse chestnut fruits. To prepare it, you need to mix 1 bottle of bile, 2 tbsp. chopped chestnuts, 3 aloe leaves. Pour all this mixture into 2 tbsp. alcohol. Leave the mixture for 10 days in a dark place. Compresses are applied at night.
When treating elbow bursitis at home, it is recommended to apply a sheet of cabbage greased with natural honey on an inflamed elbow.
Possible complications
Gradually, the walls of the synovial membrane begin to melt. Around the affected joint, calcium deposits form. With incorrect treatment, various kinds of complications can occur, namely:
- lymphadenitis;
- purulent arthritis;
- phlegmon;
- lymphangitis.
To prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications, it is necessary to conduct complex treatment when the first signs of bursitis occur.
Prophylaxis
To avoid the occurrence of the disease, it is necessary to carry out prophylaxis, which implies:
- strict observance of the regime of rest and work;
- dosing of physical activity;
- timely treatment of inflammation;
- competent treatment of infectious diseases;
- prevention of traumatic effects.
Bursitis of the elbow joint is a very dangerous disease, therefore, when it occurs, urgent measures must be taken to prevent the occurrence of complications.