| A bursa is a sac-like membrane filled with fluid that | | | | the swollen sac. If there is no need for surgery, the |
| lubricates joints. They are generally located between | | | | best medicine is exercise that stretches your |
| tendons and bones. "Bursitis" is the name for | | | | hamstring muscles and quadriceps. Gyrotonic® |
| inflammation of these membranes. The most | | | | exercise is also beneficial to improve and prevent |
| commonly plagued areas for bursitis are the hips, | | | | poptileal bursitis. |
| lower knees, elbows, shoulders and your heels. | | | | Overuse strains are common for the hip-flexors, |
| The cause of bursitis can be arthritis, trauma, | | | | especially for athletes. Your hip flexor muscle has a |
| infection or strain. The role of a bursa is to provide a | | | | tendon that is attached to the thigh bone. If the |
| cushion between moving tissues and bones thus | | | | bursa between them becomes inflamed, your hip |
| allowing friction-free movement. Sometimes the | | | | area will become very painful. The inflammation often |
| bursae can become a chronic problem if calcified | | | | results from one of the bursa hidden under the |
| deposits develop around them. | | | | tendons, instead of between the tissues. Treatment |
| An inflamed bursa can form under the heel or in the | | | | would include: |
| back because a tendon is strained and this in turn | | | | #1. Apply an ice bag to the area, |
| prevents full range-of-motion encouraging swelling to | | | | #2. Rest, especially laying on your back to avoid |
| occur. Bursitis in the heel is commonly caused by | | | | pressure on the hip area, |
| shoes that do not fit properly. Take the time and | | | | #3. Gentle stretching to regain flexibility; do this with |
| money to invest in shoes or sneakers that fit | | | | a physical therapist or certified personal trainer to |
| properly regardless if you are simply going for long | | | | avoid further injury. |
| walks in the neighborhood, standing on your feet all | | | | Shoulders are very over used and also sensitive to |
| day, engaging in a strenuous activity, or participating | | | | sports' injuries. Between the tendons and tissue in |
| in any sport. | | | | the shoulder, there are many large bursae to allow |
| Another form of bursitis affects the front of the | | | | friction-free movement. They become inflamed when |
| knee caps and is called "pre-patella bursitis." When a | | | | you exercise or play sports using the wrong form. |
| bursa in the front of the knee becomes inflamed a | | | | Bursitis in the shoulders is extremely painful even with |
| large egg-like bump will form over the kneecap. You | | | | the slightest movement of your neck, back and |
| will not miss the bump because it will be inflamed and | | | | shoulders. If you develop shoulder bursitis get it |
| it will hurt if you press on it. Sometimes a physician | | | | checked out by a physician because very often |
| will advise draining the extra fluid in the inflamed | | | | anti-inflammatory pills or injections are necessary to |
| bursa. Draining a bursa can often have an after | | | | speed up the healing process. |
| effect of even more extreme swelling. The swelling | | | | You can also enhance the effectiveness of any |
| will diminish in a few days and the bursa should return | | | | medication, or help prevent bursitis from even |
| to normal. Constant pressure on the front of the | | | | developing, by using natural remedies and taking |
| knee causes pre-patella bursitis, for example if you | | | | extra precautions. Here are some suggestions: |
| kneel most of the day while doing gardening you | | | | #1. Always stretch before and after exercising, |
| may develop mild to severe bursitis. | | | | #2. Regularly take Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E |
| Other problems that can cause you to develop | | | | and zinc to keep your bursae healthy, |
| bursitis on the kneecap are taking a direct kick to the | | | | #3. Take Vitamin B-12, when needed, as it has been |
| knee or falling and landing on your knee. Years ago | | | | known to give quite rapid relief from bursitis, |
| this type of knee bursitis was often called | | | | #4. Take bromelain to help reduce inflammation, |
| "Housemaid's Knee." As the saying goes: "We've | | | | #5. Get ultrasound treatments (performed by a |
| come a long way baby." To prevent so-called | | | | physical therapist) to diminish calcium deposits, |
| housemaid's knee follow these guidelines: | | | | #6. Avoid putting too much pressure on your knees |
| #1. Do not kneel on an injured knee, | | | | by using padding or by standing up and moving |
| #2. Do not put pressure on this knee, | | | | frequently, otherwise...Housemaid's Knee! |
| #3. Do gentle stretching exercises such as using a | | | | #7. Use a padded floor mat if you have a job where |
| Pilates Reformer with low resistance, | | | | you are required to stand for long periods of time, |
| #4. Apply an ice bag to to the swollen area. | | | | #8. Commit to an exercise program, no matter what |
| There are also many other fluid-filled sacs behind the | | | | your age is. A personal trainer can help customize a |
| knees which are interconnected with tendons and | | | | program with a well balanced and symmetrical |
| tissue to provide friction-free movement. If these | | | | approach appropriate for your fitness level. The right |
| become inflamed you will develop a swelling that | | | | exercise program provides increased strength and |
| protrudes at the back of the knee. This is usually | | | | endurance, better balance, increased range-of-motion, |
| diagnosed as "popliteal bursitis." Even though this form | | | | better circulation and improved posture. All of these |
| of bursitis might not be painful, it may limit your ability | | | | attributes help protect your tendons and bursae. |
| to move your knee. Popliteal bursitis may be due to a | | | | So now that you know more about how bursitis can |
| sports injury created by excess friction around the | | | | be prevented and treated, pay attention to these |
| knee or it can be disease related. Your physician may | | | | little "sacs" that play a big role in your well being. |
| recommend having a surgical procedure to remove | | | | Start your preventative exercise program today. |