A bursa is a flat sac lined with fluid known as synovium. These small sacs are found throughout the body and help with reducing friction usually between bone and tendon. There are many bursae located throughout the body Here are some examples:
- Subacromial Bursa - Located between the acromion and the supraspinatus tendon. (one of the rotator cuff muscles)
- Olecranon Bursa - Located between the olecranon (elbow) and the superficial tissue. The bursa is very obvious when swollen.
- Trochanteric Bursa - Located between the glut max tendon and trochanter (thigh bone) and another one located between glut medius and trochanter.
- Infrapatellar Bursa - Located between the patellar tendon (quad tendon) and the tibia (shin bone)
Bursitis is and inflammation of the bursa. It is caused by overuse of the structures that surround the bursa. This results in friction and inflammation of the bursa.
Some Signs and Symptoms are:
- Pain is described as burning and deep, during activity or at rest
- Range of motion may be limited
- Heat and swelling is present
- Compressing of the bursa is painful and may wake you up at night
In an acute condition, we want to make sure we are not compressing the bursa. For example some one with a trochanteric bursitis should not like on their side because that will aggravate and be painful to client. Cold will be applied, such as a frozen towel. Depending on the location of the bursa, we want to focus on the moving the fluid away from the bursa and lightly work around the area. Nothing aggressive.
In chronic condition, we would focus along the tissue that surround the bursa. Fascial techniques would be applied in order to loosen any adhesions along the bursa. Treatment is usually more aggressive.
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