Bursitis is a painful condition that occurs when the bursa of the joint swells or becomes irritated, commonly due to overuse of the joint or excessive pressure on a bursa.
There are over 150 bursae in the human body that cushion the spaces between your bones and tendons, skin, and muscles, and any of them can get inflamed.Most of the time, bursitis gets better on its own with rest and at-home treatment, but recurrent episodes of bursitis are common, which are considered a hallmark of chronic bursitis.
Let’s learn more about chronic bursitis, its symptoms, how it can be treated, and where you can go for the treatment of this condition in Bismarck, ND.
Chronic Bursitis: What is It?
As the name suggests, chronic bursitis is long-term bursitis that develops slowly over time. Bursitis is also considered chronic when you experience repeated episodes of bursitis in the same area.
The chance of developing chronic bursitis increases when you leave your inflamed bursa untreated or continue putting pressure or additional stress on your injured bursa. Moreover, the same kind of irritation that led to the original inflammation of the bursa can also trigger a new episode of bursitis in the same area.
Symptoms of Chronic Bursitis
Typically, people with chronic bursitis experience repeated episodes of pain,tenderness, and swelling in the surrounding area – the swelling only occurs if a superficial bursa (bursa located in the subcutaneous tissue between bone and overlying skin) is affected.
Repeated flare-ups of chronic bursitis may severely damage the bursa and restrict the range of motion of the nearby joint and surrounding muscles.
Treatment of Chronic Bursitis
If you’re having repeated episodes of bursitis, seeing an orthopedic doctor is a good idea.Your orthopedic surgeon will treat bursitis depending on its cause with treatments such as:
- Medications – Medications such as antibiotics are recommended if chronic inflammation of the bursa is caused by an infection. Your orthopedic doctor may also recommend anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort.
- Physical Therapy – The exercise regimen recommended by a physical therapist can strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area and prevent the recurrence of bursitis.
- Assistive Device–Your orthopedic doctor may also recommend you usea temporary walking cane or other devices to help relieve pressure on the affected area.
- Surgery–In cases of chronic bursitis where nonsurgical treatments fail, your orthopedic surgeon will remove the affected bursa surgically. Septic bursitis that fails to get better with antibiotics can also be treated surgically.
Chronic Bursitis Treatment in Bismarck, ND
If you are having recurrent episodes of bursitis and seek a lasting solution, visit us at The Bone and Joint Center. We have a team of highly trained and experienced orthopedic doctors who are committed to providing you with top-notch care for your orthopedic injuries and conditions, including bursitis.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our doctors, call today at (800) 424-2663, or you can schedule a consultation by filling out a form instead.
