Bursitis in Madison, OH

Bursitis describes the inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs inside the joints. Symptoms of bursitis include a warm sensation on the surface of the skin, pain, aching, stiff joints and swelling. The skill and expertise of the chiropractors at French Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Madison helps the residents of Painesville, Mentor and surrounding towns in Ohio alleviate the symptoms associated with bursitis.

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is a condition affecting the small cushioning sacs filled with fluid that are located near the joints in the human body. There are approximately 150 of these cushioning sacs between large and small joints such as the knees, elbows or toes. The bursas located nearest to frequently used joints such as the shoulders or hips are more likely to develop the painful inflammation of bursitis. However, joints in the heel and toes of the foot are also affected. In most cases, several bursas located near each other become inflamed, but occasionally, only one bursa is diagnosed with bursitis.

What are the Symptoms of Bursitis?

The symptoms of bursitis vary slightly in each patient and also depend on the particular joint affected. Patients complain to physicians about intense stiffness in the joint along with chronic discomfort. When patients apply pressure to the joint by walking or moving, the condition tends to worsen, leading to additional pain and swelling. If the skin near the affected bursas develops redness or warmth, then antibiotics are prescribed to avoid additional infection. The pain of bursitis is worse after the joint is moved or used while standing, but in the morning, the joint has more stiffness due to nonuse.

What are the Causes of Bursitis?

Bursitis is commonly diagnosed as people age due to wear and tear on joints and surrounding tissue, including the bursas that are supposed to reduce friction between moving bones. However, repeated stress on certain joints can cause younger individuals to develop bursitis. Physicians have discovered that certain occupations or behaviors lead to bursitis in certain joints, including:

• Ankles – constantly walking while wearing poorly fitting shoes
• Knees – repetitive kneeling to perform chores such as gardening
• Hips – prolonged sitting or standing without movement
• Buttocks – sitting on hard surfaces on a daily basis
• Elbow – overusing the elbow joint in sport activities
• Shoulder – repetitive motion or trauma injuries

Individuals engaging in particular activities will develop bursitis in certain joints, such as

• Baseball players – rotator cuff injuries leading to shoulder pain
• Tennis players – elbow bursitis due to swinging a racquet
• Bicycle riders – pain in the buttocks due to hard bicycle seats
• Tile technicians – knee bursitis caused by constant kneeling

In addition, carrying extra weight on the body creates more pressure on the joints and bursas, leading to increased chances of developing bursitis in the weight-bearing joints of the knees, feet and hips. Individuals with osteoarthritis are more likely to develop bursitis because their body’s joints and bones are already damaged.

What is the Conventional Treatment for Bursitis?

When someone is diagnosed with bursitis, it is imperative to reduce activity, rest the joint involved and apply ice. An application of ice for short amounts of time, several times a day, is effective in reducing swelling along with discomfort. A chiropractor may recommend rehabilitative procedures or special exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint and bursas. Occasionally, the affected bursas require surgical draining to get rid of intense inflammation and swelling.

Isn’t it time you tried chiropractic care for you and your family? If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms of bursitis, please contact our office now to schedule an appointment.