Bursitis of Shoulder – What It Means and How to Treat It

February 28th, 2011

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A lot of people try to find help from their doctors regarding shoulder pain. Common diagnosis might usually include bursitis of shoulder or shoulder tendonitis. You have to know the signs and symptoms, as well as know how to differentiate tendonitis from bursitis. Bursitis of shoulder is treatable, but you should also know the triggers and causes. Overall, you increase your chances of getting better and minimizing the risks by knowing all the features and effects.

Differentiating Between the Two

Rotator cuff tendonitis and shoulder bursitis are the same, in the sense that inflammation is present in the particular area in the shoulder joint, thereby leading to a number of symptoms and problems. Another name for this set of symptoms is impingement syndrome. Impingement syndrome happens as soon as inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon occurs, as well as the bursa that goes around the tendons.

The Trigger

The shoulder is a complex joint where a lot of muscles, bones and ligaments links the chest to the upper extremities. Impingement syndrome happens once inflammation has occured between the arm bone or top of the humerus and the tip of the shoulder or the acromion. The tendons of the rotator cuff are found between the bones, and the bursa keeps the tendons protected.

The tendons normally slide within the space. Among a number of individuals, the space can get very narrow for regular movement, plus the bursa and tendons can also get inflamed. Inflammation will later on lead to the thickening of the bursa and the tendons, and then lead to the loss of space in this area. Over time, the space will be very narrow to hold the bursa and tendons. These will become pinched, as a result, whenever the structures move between the bones. The condition is the referred to as impingement syndrome.

Known Symptoms

Common symptoms of shoulder bursitis will include pain while you sleep at night, pain with activities that require you to life your arm over your head and pain over the outside of the upper arm and shoulder. Impingement syndrome diagnosis can be done via a physical exam. It is vital to test the individual used to these via various triggers of shoulder pain. X-rays will most likely be done to check the bone anatomy. An MRI might also be done to make sure that tears are not present in the rotator cuff.

Things to Do to Relieve Symptoms

To treat bursitis of the shoulder, you have to minimize the inflammation first. You can rest and put ice on the area. This will relieve pain and help stimulate more blood into the area to improve recovery. Anti-inflammatory medications are also needed, such as Aleve, Motrin and Celebrex. The drugs will help reduce discomfort and reduce pain. Shoulder exercises can also help you return to normal activities of daily living. Surgery can be done, although only in rare instances. Non-surgical treatments are usually enough to treat most cases of bursitis of the shoulder. Small incisions will be made to perform an arthroscopic procedure.

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