What is bursitis? Can it be detected by an MRI? Can it be eliminated?

Before Alice answers your questions, first let her consider the following:

What is a bursa, and then how can it become irritated or inflamed?

A bursa is a pocket, or sac, usually empty, that contributes to smooth, low-friction movement of tendons and muscles over prominent portions of bones. There are many bursae scattered throughout the body. Unfortunately, these helpful structures can becom e irritated, leading to pain, tenderness, and (if near the skin) visible swelling. This is bursitis. Two well-known areas for bursitis are the shoulder and the elbow. Many other sites are possible. Sudden trauma, or the wear and tear that comes from repetitive, excessive use, may cause inflammation. Often, the cause is obscure.

Happily, MRIs and similar elaborate testing are rarely, if ever, necessary for diagnosis. Finding tenderness in an area known to be susceptible to bursitis is enough.

Elimination? Well, there are roles for medicines, injections into the inflamed areas, physical therapy, etc.; but ultimately, bursitis will almost always get better by itself. The problem is that it may take much longer than even the average stoic is pr epared to wait. Rarely is there a surgical approach. For example, part of the problem with bunions in the feet is bursitis. Surgery is sometimes done for bunions.

Read Chronic bursitis in Alice's General Health archives for more information.

Alice

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