Injuries to Bursa
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs whose function is to reduce friction, distribute stress, and protect the underlying structures. They may be found between a bone and a tendon, between two tendons, or between a bone or tendon and the overlying skin.
Bursitis may be inflammatory, or caused by an impact with subsequent bleeding (hoemorrhagic bursitis)
Frictional bursitis
Frictional bursitis occurs when a tendon moves repeatedly over a bursa, often combined with external pressure. Frictional bursitis occurs in athletes who carry out repetitive movements, e.g. tennis players and runners training on one side of the road. It frequently affects burase in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, and around the heel and the big toe.
Signs and symptoms include:
• Swelling
• Local increase in temperature
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Pain on attempted movement
Treatment includes:
• Rest until the pain has resolved completely
• Cool the injured area with an ice pack
• Apply a bandage to compress the bursa
• Relieve any external pressure on the bursa
Hoemorrhagic bursitis
The usual cause of bleeding into a bursa is a direct impact such as a fall. It may also be caused indirectly by tendon rupture or by bleeding within a joint to which the bursa is connected.
In cases of acute injury, a hoeobursa is suggested by the following signs and symptoms:
• Swelling of the bursa as it fills with blood
• Extreme tenderness
• Pain and impaired function of the part in question
• Redness and damage to the skin