Inflammation of the crevice cavities formed by the synovial membrane (synovial sacs) is bursitis. Symptoms are usually characteristic: first there is a swelling, and then swelling of the affected area. This is due to an increased accumulation in synovial bags of exudate - fluid with blood cells.
Most often, bursitis occurs in the elbow, knee, shoulder, ankle joints due to their maximum mobility. After all, the main cause of inflammation is regular pressure, friction on the bone protrusions of the tendons, muscles, and skin. It can be noted that such a pathology often develops against the background of a particular sport.
Bursitis: Symptoms
As already noted, the main symptom of this disease is the appearance at the joint site of a painful and fairly elastic swelling, which has a rounded shape and a diameter of up to ten centimeters. But there are other manifestations of acute bursitis. Symptoms include general malaise, impaired joint mobility, and fever. Then the swelling at the site of inflammation can be replaced by significant swelling. Symptoms vary depending on the pathogenesis. So, if purulent bursitis develops, the symptoms will be pronounced: high fever, flushing of the skin, severe swelling and pain in the affected area. In a chronic disease, such obvious signs of inflammation will not be observed. In place of the synovial bag, a small, soft swelling appears on the consistency. The disease does not entail acute pain, the joint continues to function fully. When an exacerbation occurs, the amount of exudate in the synovial bag increases, which can trigger the formation of a cystic cavity with fluid.
Elbow bursitis
As a rule, it occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the elbow, resulting in infection of the synovial bag. As a result of this, it greatly increases in size and takes the form of a hemisphere. Pain appears in the joint zone, the skin turns red. Such inflammation often occurs in tennis players.
Hip bursitis
Pathology can be difficult to diagnose, as it has symptoms similar to arthritis. Bursitis of the joint leads to soreness that occurs when abduction to the side of the leg. A swelling appears on the front surface of the thigh, which can be noticed upon palpation.
Shoulder bursitis
Due to the anatomical structure of the shoulder, synovial bags are often affected, which do not communicate with the cavity of the joint itself. Their inflammation leads to the appearance of sharp pain during rotation of the shoulder or its abduction. Visual symptoms also arise: the contour of the shoulder is smoothed out, muscles are enlarged, and swelling appears.
Bursitis of the knee
Inflammatory synovial bags also do not have direct communication with the knee joint and are located directly under the skin. Due to the surface location, they are damaged more often than bags of other joints. With inflammation, swelling and pain occur, the lymph nodes increase, the temperature rises.
Ankle Bursitis
In most cases, the synovial bag located between the tendon and the calcaneal tubercle becomes inflamed. This may be the result of improperly selected shoes or the penetration of pathogens. As with other types of bursitis, a swelling forms at the site of the lesion.
How to treat bursitis
Therapy involves the use of antibiotics and non-steroidal drugs. In case of acute inflammation, a pressure bandage is applied to the affected area, warming compresses are made, anti-inflammatory ointments are applied. In case of chronic bursitis, exudate removal by puncture can be applied.