Bursitis or inflammation of the bursa is a medical condition that can cause severe pain, swelling, or stiffness in the area surrounding the joint. Therefore, bursitis often affects areas such as the knees, shoulders, elbows, big toes, heels, and hips. How bursitis is treated depends on its severity, cause, and symptoms, but there are a number of treatment options for you, both at home and at the doctor.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Understanding Bursitis
Step 1. Understand what causes bursitis
Bursitis is a condition when the bursa sac enlarges and becomes inflamed. Bursas are small fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions for your body near the joints. Thus, the bursa becomes a lining when bone, skin, and tissue connect with and move with the joint.
Step 2. Observe the swelling
In addition to pain, symptoms of bursitis include swelling at the affected site. The area may also become red or stiff. If you experience these symptoms, you should see a doctor.
Step 3. Know how to diagnose
Your doctor will ask questions and perform a physical exam to diagnose your condition. He or she may also order a PRM (magnetic resonance imaging/MRI) or X-ray examination.
Step 4. Understand what causes bursitis
Bursitis is most often caused by repetitive motion of the same joint or when the same part is lightly knocked over a period of time. For example, activities such as gardening, painting, playing tennis, or playing golf can all cause bursitis if you're not careful. Other causes of bursitis are infection, trauma or injury, arthritis, or gout.
Part 2 of 4: Treating Bursitis with Home Remedies
Step 1. Perform PRICEM treatment
“PRICEM” is an abbreviation of “protect” (protect), “rest” (rest), “ice” (es), “compress” (compress), “elevate” (lift), and “medicate” (medicate).
- Protect your joints by layering them, especially if they're in the lower half of your body. For example, wear knee pads if bursitis occurs in the knee, while you need to kneel constantly.
- Rest your joints as much as possible by not using them. For example, try a different exercise that doesn't injure the area near the inflamed joint.
- Use ice packs wrapped in cloth. You can also use frozen vegetables like peas. Place the ice pad on the affected area for 20 minutes. You can use this method up to 4 times a day.
- You can wrap the joint in an elastic band for support. Also be sure to elevate the area above your heart as often as possible. Otherwise, blood and fluid may collect in the area.
- Take anti-inflammatory pain pills, such as ibuprofen, which can help reduce swelling and pain.
Step 2. Use a warm compress for pain that lasts more than 2 days
Apply the compress to the affected area for up to 20 minutes, four times a day.
You can use a heat pad or a hot water bottle. If you don't have one, moisten a washcloth and place it in the microwave. Heat for about 30 seconds to make it warm, but make sure not to overheat
Step 3. Try using a cane, crutches wheelchair or another type of walker for lower leg bursitis
You may need one of these tools while you are recovering. These aids help bear the weight that is weighing on the bursa area, so that the area can heal faster, while also reducing pain.
Step 4. Try using a splint or brace
Splints and supports serve as support for the injured part. In the case of bursitis, both can provide much-needed relief to the joint area, thereby speeding healing.
However, use crutches or splints only for initial attacks of pain. If you use it for too long, it will reduce the strength in that joint. Talk to your doctor about how long you need to wear it
Part 3 of 4: Treating Bursitis with Professional Help
Step 1. Ask your doctor about corticosteroid injections
This type of injection is one of the main medical therapies for bursitis. Basically, the doctor will use a syringe to inject cortisone into the joint.
- If you are concerned about the pain, most doctors will give you an anesthetic first to numb the area. He or she may also use ultrasound as an aid to direct the syringe to the right place.
- This injection should help with both inflammation and pain, although your condition may worsen before it improves.
Step 2. Take antibiotics
Sometimes inflammation is caused by infection. A round of antibiotics can help your body to get rid of the infection, thereby reducing inflammation and bursitis. If the bursa is infected, the doctor may first drain the infected fluid with a syringe.
Step 3. Seek physical therapy
Physical therapy may be a good option for you, especially if you have frequent bursitis. A physical therapist can show you how to do the best exercises to improve your range of motion and pain levels, as well as help prevent future problems.
Step 4. Try swimming, or soaking in warm water
Water can help you move your joints more easily without causing a lot of pain. That way, you can slowly move back. However, don't get too excited when swimming. Swimming can cause shoulder bursitis, so it's important to keep the intensity up. Focus on getting back into motion and reducing pain, not on intense exercise.
Another option is water physical therapy, which allows you to improve your pain with the direction of a professional
Step 5. Use surgery as a last resort
Surgeons can remove a bursa if it becomes a serious problem, but this therapy is usually the last thing a doctor recommends.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Bursitis
Step 1. Avoid repeated movements in the same area
This is because bursitis is often caused by using the same joint to perform the same movement over and over again, such as doing too many push-ups or even as simple as typing too long.
Step 2. Rest
If you do have to do an activity for a long period of time, make sure to take regular breaks. For example, if you've been writing or typing for a long time, take a few minutes to stretch your hands and arms.
Step 3. Always warm up
A physical therapist can help you with exercise and stretching according to your particular needs. Before exercising, take time to do some stretching and light movements to warm up your body.
- For example, start with something as simple as jumping jacks or running in place.
- You can also try stretches like high knee pulls. In this stretch you straighten your arms in front of you, then lower them while lifting your left and right knees alternately.
- Another easy warm-up is high kicks, which do exactly what the name suggests; kick one leg high into the air in front of you. Perform alternating forward and backward kicks for both legs.
Step 4. Build your tolerance
When you first start doing a new exercise or lifting routine, take the time to build up your stamina. You don't need to do hundreds of repetitions the first time. Start with something small, then increase the portion each day.
For example, on the first day of a lift, you may need to try about ten times. The next day, add one more time. Keep adding once a day until you reach a level you are comfortable with
Step 5. Stop if you feel a stabbing pain
Predictably, you will feel some kind of pressure on your muscles if you lift weights or start a new exercise. However, you should stop if you feel any sharp or intense pain, which may indicate a problem.
Step 6. Maintain good posture
Sit and stand up straight as long as possible. Pull your shoulders back. If you feel slouched, correct the posture. Poor posture can lead to bursitis, especially in the shoulder.
- When standing, place your feet together, about shoulder width apart. Keep your shoulders back. Do not be tense. Keep balance. Your arms should dangle freely.
- When sitting, your knees should be in line with your groin. Keep your feet flat. Don't strain your shoulders, but position them back. Make sure your back is supported by the chair. If not, you may need to add a small pillow near the base of your back. Imagine having a piece of rope running along your back and pulling your head straight up as you sit down.
Step 7. Correct the leg length discrepancy
If one of your lower limbs is longer than the other, it can cause bursitis in one of the joints. Use shoe pads for shorter legs to fix the problem.
An orthopedic doctor can help you find the right type of shoe wedge. Basically, the heel or wedge of the shoe is attached to the bottom of the shoe. Thus, the legs will be slightly longer because the tool adds height
Step 8. Use pads if possible
That is, when you sit down, make sure you place a pillow under you. When you kneel, put a knee pad under it. Choose shoes that provide good support and support, such as high-quality sneakers.
