Bursitis And Physiotherapy.
WHAT IS BURSITIS?
One of the most common injuries we see in the clinic is bursitis.
What is Bursitis? Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a painful condition that affects the joints. The bursae are fluid filled sacs that act as a cushion. Sitting between bones, joints, muscles and tendons. The most common joints to be affected by bursitis are the shoulder, hip and elbow. You can however also have bursitis in the knees, heel and base of the big toe.
HOW DO YOU GET BURSITIS?
Bursitis can be caused by a number of different conditions. One of the most common is repetitive strain or overuse of the affected joint. When you over use a joint or awkwardly use a joint in a repetitive manner or with pressure you are increasing the risk of developing bursitis. People with weak hip muscles can often develop bursitis due to this muscle weakness and tending to sway when they walk causing (trochanteric) bursitis.
Quite often we see people in the clinic with repetitive strain injuries from brick laying, painting, typing. Sports related injuries can be jogging, tennis or high impact cardio with a repetitive nature.
Other ways you can develop bursitis may be trauma or from a systemic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BURSITIS?
Feeling achy or stiff in affected joint
Pain with pressure or movement
Location may appear swollen or red
Joint may feel warm
Pain may come on suddenly or gradually over time
HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP BURSITIS?
Physiotherapy can not only assist with the diagnosis of bursitis, but can also assist with recovery periods, lifestyle modification and relief from pain and discomfort.
A physiotherapist will use techniques such as soft tissue massage and joint mobilisation to assist with muscle soreness and tension around the affected joint as well as the surrounding areas. They may use a technique called dry needling to assist with relieving muscle pain, strapping or the use of kinesiology tape can also be of benefit. Postural education as well as lifestyle modification can also be effective with treating bursitis.
Scans or tests can confirm if you have bursitis.
Your physiotherapist can order scans for you at a cost with most medical imaging places. If you would like to have this scan done at no charge, a GP can order an ultrasound or MRI. A physiotherapist will conduct a manual test to determine if the pain and joint discomfort is caused by bursitis however a scan is the gold standard way to clinically diagnose bursitis in a joint.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR GP
Sudden inability to move joints
Excessive swelling, redness or bruising in the affected area
Localised rash on affected joint
A fever
Disabling joint pain
WHAT TO TAKE WHEN YOU HAVE BURSITIS
For the management of pain and inflammation you can do the following
Over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain, decrease inflammation and fever if present.
Natural medications such a clinically proven prescription anti inflammatory. We stock a variety in the clinic so if you are looking for a natural approach to inflammation chat to our physiotherapist about what we stock.
Other ways to manage the pain and inflammation from bursitis
Hot & cold packs applied to affected area
Dry needling
Kinesio taping of affected area
Soft tissue massage