What is bursitis?

Bursitis is the inflammation of the fluid-filled sac called bursa. This sac cushions the area between tissues such as bones and tendons, reducing the friction between the moving parts of the body.

The bursa can get inflamed as a result of repetitive motions, infection, trauma, and preexisting rheumatoid conditions.

The most common areas affected by bursitis are the shoulder, elbow, and hip. However, it can also affect the knee and the Achilles tendon.

Symptoms of Bursitis

Although the symptoms of bursitis could vary, depending on the affected site, pain and tenderness are the most common complaints of those who have it. The inflammation of the bursa may also cause limitations in movement.

Shoulder Bursitis

A person with shoulder bursitis usually complains of pain which often worsens at night, tender spots, and decreased range of active motion (overhead lifting and reaching causes discomfort).

Elbow Bursitis

In elbow bursitis, the pain increases when the elbow is bent. Infection is also common in this type of bursitis.

Hip Bursitis

The pain that occurs in hip bursitis worsens when the hip is extended and rotated. It usually radiates to the front and middle parts of the thigh to the knee.

There can also be tenderness in the groin area and at times, there can be a mass felt that resembles a hernia.

Knee Bursitis

The pain in knee bursitis is felt when the knee is bent. This can be troublesome for many people especially at night. In some cases, the pain radiates to the inner thigh and mid-calf.

Ankle Bursitis

With ankle bursitis, the pain is usually felt at the back of the heel and worsens with resistive flexion or passive extension.

Diagnosing Bursitis

Bursitis can be infectious. Hence, medical care should be sought if the symptoms are felt.

Doctors diagnose bursitis based on one’s medical history and result of physical exam and diagnostic tests.

In order to determine the cause of bursitis, the doctor may remove fluid from the bursa and send it to the laboratory for analysis.

Other tests that may be recommended include blood tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. These tests help in ruling out other conditions.

How It Is Treated

Most cases of bursitis get better on their own. The discomfort is usually managed through rest, application of cold compress, and taking of pain reliever. However, if the symptoms are not relieved through conservative measures, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections.

Although it happens rarely, an inflamed bursa may be surgically drained.

A bunion is a bony, often painful bump that develops at the base of the big toe. Also known as hallux valgus, bunions often develop slowly.

What causes bunions?

Bunions develop when the bones that make up the metatarsophalangeal joint or MTP (the largest joint of the big toe) move out of alignment.

There are several theories on how bunions develop but the exact cause is still unknown. There are some factors though that can increase one’s risk of developing bunions. These include having an inherited foot type, congenital foot deformities, and foot injuries.

In some cases, bunions are associated with certain types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of bunions include a bulging bump on the outside of the base of the big toe, pain or soreness around the big toe joint, a burning sensation, inflammation, redness, and in some cases, numbness.

Corns or calluses may develop with bunions especially when the first and second toes overlap.

When to See a Doctor

In many cases, bunions don’t require medical treatment. However, seeing a doctor is advised if there is persistent pain on the big toe, a visible bump on the big toe joint, difficulty walking in flat shoes, and a decreased in the movement of the big toe or the foot.

Bunions can be easily detected through one’s medical history and physical assessment. To confirm the diagnosis and determine the degree of deformity, the doctor may order an X-ray.

Since the alignment of the bones changes with one’s position, the doctor will take an X-ray while the patient is standing. This provides better images on the misalignment of the bones on the foot.

Managing Bunions

Nonsurgical Treatment

Most cases of bunions can be managed through different nonsurgical methods. While they can help alleviate the pain, these methods cannot reverse the deformity itself.

Wearing the right kind of shoes, applying pads over the area of the bunion, application of cold compress, and taking of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are just some of the ways to manage the discomfort associated with bunions.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is only recommended if pain persists even with nonsurgical treatments and when the pain interferes with day-to-day activities.

Surgical treatment for bunions usually involves removal of the bump in the bone and correcting the changes in the bony structure as well as changes in the soft tissues. The goal of these surgeries is to reduce the pain and deformity.