BURSITIS
PHYSIOTHERAPY BRISBANE
Bursitis is an inflammatory condition of bursae, which are small fluid filled sacks sit underneath tendons and muscles over the top of bones just underneath the intersection of where a tendon attaches to bone that reduces friction between the tendon and bone and also allow for a small amount of shock absorption at the nearby joint. Some of the most common sites include trochanteric bursitis of the lateral hip, olecranon bursitis of the posterior elbow and prepatellar bursitis of the anterior knee.
Bursa can become irritated and inflamed through several different mechanisms. Generally, bursitis can be caused by overuse through repetitive movements at the joint, trauma such as falling with hard impact over the bursa, or long bouts of pressure over the bursa or due to bacterial infection- known as septic bursitis.
Trochanteric bursitis occurs over the lateral hip where the gluteal tendons insert onto the femur; there are two variations: the subgluteus Maximus bursitis and subgluteus Medius bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis can occur as an acute presentation through trauma- such as a fall onto the lateral hip but more typically presents as a chronic overuse injury from repetitive actions and misaligned biomechanics. Other risk factors for trochanteric bursitis include obesity, hip osteoarthritis, and being female.
Olecranon bursitis over the posterior elbow is a relatively common type of bursitis and is seen as inflammation of the bursa underneath the triceps tendon where the triceps’ muscles insert onto the ulnar bone of the forearm. This type of bursitis, although can occur acutely through irritation, notoriously occurs in students through chronic pressure- it is also known as ‘student’s elbow’. The frequent leaning onto the elbows while seated at a desk is a strong risk factor for olecranon bursitis.
Pre-patellar bursitis arises at the front of the knee, the pre-patellar bursa sits directly underneath the skin over the top of the patella (kneecap) and the patellar tendon. One third of pre-patellar bursitis’ are from bacterial infections (septic bursitis), and the other two thirds are commonly from trauma- such as repetitive kneeling or falls onto the knee – such can occur in contact sport like rugby with landing on the knee during tackles.
Bursitis can occur around most joints in the body and can cause considerable pain. Bursitis will present as local swelling with possible heat and redness around the area and local stiffness. If left untreated or prolonged symptoms can lead to tendon irritation causing broader damage. A physiotherapist can work with you to determine the best course of treatment needed, which often includes rest, cryotherapy, graded exposure to activity and correcting biomechanics. If you believe you may have bursitis, book an appointment with one of our lovely physiotherapists today!
Bursa can become irritated and inflamed through several different mechanisms. Generally, bursitis can be caused by overuse through repetitive movements at the joint, trauma such as falling with hard impact over the bursa, or long bouts of pressure over the bursa or due to bacterial infection- known as septic bursitis.
Trochanteric bursitis occurs over the lateral hip where the gluteal tendons insert onto the femur; there are two variations: the subgluteus Maximus bursitis and subgluteus Medius bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis can occur as an acute presentation through trauma- such as a fall onto the lateral hip but more typically presents as a chronic overuse injury from repetitive actions and misaligned biomechanics. Other risk factors for trochanteric bursitis include obesity, hip osteoarthritis, and being female.
Olecranon bursitis over the posterior elbow is a relatively common type of bursitis and is seen as inflammation of the bursa underneath the triceps tendon where the triceps’ muscles insert onto the ulnar bone of the forearm. This type of bursitis, although can occur acutely through irritation, notoriously occurs in students through chronic pressure- it is also known as ‘student’s elbow’. The frequent leaning onto the elbows while seated at a desk is a strong risk factor for olecranon bursitis.
Pre-patellar bursitis arises at the front of the knee, the pre-patellar bursa sits directly underneath the skin over the top of the patella (kneecap) and the patellar tendon. One third of pre-patellar bursitis’ are from bacterial infections (septic bursitis), and the other two thirds are commonly from trauma- such as repetitive kneeling or falls onto the knee – such can occur in contact sport like rugby with landing on the knee during tackles.
Bursitis can occur around most joints in the body and can cause considerable pain. Bursitis will present as local swelling with possible heat and redness around the area and local stiffness. If left untreated or prolonged symptoms can lead to tendon irritation causing broader damage. A physiotherapist can work with you to determine the best course of treatment needed, which often includes rest, cryotherapy, graded exposure to activity and correcting biomechanics. If you believe you may have bursitis, book an appointment with one of our lovely physiotherapists today!
