Causes and Treatment for Bursitis
Painful joints not only distract your focus but can also limit your access to physical activity. Fortunately, an orthopaedic doctor can effectively diagnose the source of your joint pain and determine how to best treat your symptoms. Bursitis is one condition that may be to blame for your painful joints; learn more about what causes bursitis and how you can take care of the problem by reading the following overview.
What Is Bursitis?
Between the bones in many of your joints are bursae, or tiny sacs filled with fluid that cushion and lubricate the joints. Healthy bursae allow for smooth joint movement, but when these bursae become inflamed, movement can be painful. The shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and knee are particularly susceptible to bursitis, which is most common in joints that are tasked with frequent, repetitive motions.
What Causes Bursitis?
Repetitive motions commonly cause bursitis. The repetitive stress on the joint can inflame the bursae. Bursae that are close to your skin’s surface can also develop bursitis because of infection, though bacteria breaching the skin and infecting the bursae is usually a concern restricted to people with compromised immune systems. People with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can develop bursitis if their underlying condition causes crystalizing and swelling in the bursa fluid.
How Is It Treated?
Luckily, most cases of bursitis are minor and can be successfully treated with pain medication, rest, and ice. If this course of action does not help your bursitis, your orthopaedic doctor can prescribe antibiotics, which will resolve infection-caused bursitis. Severe cases of bursitis that are not bacterial may require a cortisone shot or surgical draining, which can be performed by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Does your bursitis require the help of an orthopaedic surgeon? MK Orthopaedics serves residents of Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield with diagnosis and treatment of a range of orthopaedic conditions. Call us today at (815) 741-6900 to learn more about the ways in which we can keep your body moving. Make sure to ask about our Walk-in Clinic on Mondays from 3-6PM!
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