Shoulder Bursitis - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Shoulder bursitis

Bursitis of the shoulder joint is an inflammatory process in the periarticular sac, which takes place accompanied by the accumulation of such fluid, which is enriched not only with protein, but also with blood particles. This ailment should be attributed to diseases of the musculoskeletal system and is most common in those who play sports at a professional level and in people whose activities were associated with loads on the shoulder joints.

Content:

• Shoulder bursitis symptoms
• The causes of bursitis of the shoulder joint
• Shoulder bursitis treatment

Shoulder bursitis symptoms

The manifestations of bursitis of the shoulder joint are as follows:

• swelling in the joint area - at the initial stage, it is not a problem, because the ability to move in the joint is not limited, and there are no painful sensations;
• pain, noticeable inflammation. This is especially acute when stretching or kneading when carrying out any training exercises;
• limitation of motor volume, which is accompanied by sharp painful sensations, possibly the absence of pain;
• redness of the skin and an increase in temperature exclusively over the joint area.

In protracted cases, it appears:

• high temperature - up to 38 ° C;
• purulent processes - with this scenario, manifestations begin to appear that indicate an intoxication of the body - chills, migraines and an increase in temperature to 39-40 ° C. Without proper treatment, there is a possibility of the formation of purulent arthritis;
• pain sensations become strong and pulsating.

The causes of bursitis of the shoulder joint

Shoulder bursitis can occur as a result of tissue damage, such as a severe blow, or as a consequence of an infection. If damaged, it is aseptic bursitis, in case of infection, it is infectious.

Bursitis is formed after:

• injury;
• prolonged load on the shoulder joints;
• wide sweeps of the arms at a certain amplitude.

Separately, it is necessary to talk about calcareous bursitis. This form of the disease is usually triggered by a violation of metabolic processes, and therefore treatment is a rather difficult task. With this form of the disease, calcium salts are deposited, which in certain situations provokes a deterioration in shoulder mobility.

Shoulder bursitis also develops in people over 50 years of age. At a similar age, the tone of these muscles becomes weaker. As a result, the shoulder joint, which was left without muscle protection, is much more exposed to traumatic injuries.

A cut or furuncle can cause the formation of bursitis, so no one is immune from the presented pathology. This is the so-called traumatic bursitis, which affects those who have not yet reached the age of 35, mainly men. And, despite the fact that such an ailment does not have critical consequences for human health in general, it must be borne in mind that repeated injuries of the damaged joint can become a catalyst for the formation of a permanent form of the disease. It is much more difficult to cure it.

Shoulder bursitis treatment

Regardless of the form of the disease, one of the first to be prescribed drugs that relieve inflammation, and at the same time a non-steroidal type. Their goal is obvious - to get rid of painful sensations and significantly reduce inflammation. But such drugs cannot be used for an extended period of time due to their side effects. Therefore, in the case of long-term treatment, the dosage of NSAIDs is either reduced or replaced with similar ones. In the primary form of the disease, they are used as gels and ointments.

Serous bursitis of the shoulder joint implies treatment with ointments and rest, but its purulent form requires a course of treatment with antibiotics, which are not always "strong" enough. In 30% of cases, there is a need for surgical intervention. In such a case, the bag is punctured, after which it is washed with a specific solution. In this case, we are talking about disinfecting solutions and cortecosteroids, after which the wound is cleaned until the inflammation disappears completely.

In the case of the development of a permanent form of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary in 80% of cases. In this case, we are not talking about puncture, but about bursectomy. This operation is an incision of the joint capsule that was damaged.

The methods of a physiotherapeutic nature used in the treatment process most often help only to significantly reduce pain and edema. The same methods as folk remedies help great in the formation of serous bursitis, but are completely ineffective with its purulent variety.

After getting rid of the exacerbation, it is possible to proceed to physiological procedures. Electrophoresis with calcium, iontophoresis with hydrocortisone, amplipulse, magnetic treatment are actively used. As a result, the inflammation is finally removed, the edema becomes much less.

Improving blood outflow, strengthening the shoulder muscles and girdle - all this can be achieved by introducing massage procedures into the treatment. Massage, like physiological procedures, is carried out after exacerbation neutralization.

The effect achieved after massage and physiological procedures can be consolidated with the help of physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy). Exercises begin to be done with loads that are minimal in terms of force and amplitude. In the future, depending on the form of bursitis and the neutralization of symptoms, it is desirable to expand the motor volume. At the same time, excessively intense and abrupt movements that cause pain are unacceptable.

An effect similar to exercise therapy and physiological procedures is achieved with the use of acupuncture. It is acupuncture of biologically active sites that are located in specific anatomical areas.

Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist

Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.