BURSITIS & TENDONITIS Flashcards
What are non-articular sources of pain
Sources of pain originating in structures surrounding the joint e.g. tendons, ligaments, bursae, muscles
How can you tell the difference on examination between non-articular problems and articular problems?
Non-articular - localised pain, pain worsens with active but not passive joint motion
Articular - diffuse or deep pain, painful range of movement active + passive, creptitation, swelling, joint instability or deformity possible
What is a bursitis?
Inflammation of the bursae which causes thickening of the synovial membrane and increase fluid production causing swelling
Common types of bursitis?
Prepatellar
Olecranon
Trochanteric
Retrocalcaneal
What is a bursa?
is a closed synovial fluid-filled sac created by synovial membrane that works as a cushion and gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. Found at bony prominences
What can cause bursitis?
Friction from repetitive movements or leaning on the elbow
Trauma
Inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or gout)
Infection - septic bursitis e.g. following a penetrating injury
What is olecranon bursitis sometimes known as?
Students elbow as students may lean on their elbow for prolonged periods while studying causing friction and mild trauma
Miners elbow
Draftmans elbow
Who do olecranon bursitis typically affect?
Middle aged males
What is the olecranon bursa?
A sac overlying the olecranon process of the elbow beneath the skin
It has a synovial lining but does not communicate with the joint
What are most causes of septic olecranon bursitis caused by?
Staph aureus up to 90%
Strep
Presentation of olecranon bursitis?
Swelling over the olecranon process that appears over hours-days, is fluctuating, tender and warm
Movement at the elbow joint is painless except at full flexion when the swollen bursa is compressed
Features that might indicate septic bursitis rather than non-septic bursitis?
Increased tenderness or painful, red, hot swelling of the bursa which is progressively worsening.
Local cellulitis.
Abrasion or laceration over the bursa.
Fever.
Immunocompromised state.
Tachycardia, low bp, change in mental status
What should you do if you suspect septic bursitis?
Aspirate bursal fluid using a sterile aspiration technique before antibiotics are started
If pus is aspirated or fluid is blood stained then septic arthritis is possible. Note straw coloured fluid means infection less likely and milky fluid indicates gout
Send bursal fluid to lab for gram staining, culture and crystal examination
Management of non-septic olecranon bursitis?
Rest, ice, reduced activity, avoid trauma, compressive bandaging and analgesia
If clinically confident that the bursitis is non-septic then reassure person that most people will respond to this.
If effusion is last you may consider aspiration to improve function
Management of septic olecranon bursitis?
Aspirate bursal fluid
Treat empirically with oral antibiotic that covers staph and strep until culture results are known (flucloxacillin)
If swelling, tenderness and erythema recurs consider repeated aspiration
What is trochanteric bursitis known as?
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
What is greater trochanteric pain syndrome?
A regional pain syndrome in which chronic intermittent pain is felt around the greater trochanter
It has been found that the trochanteric bursae plays a smaller role than previously thought and inflammation is not always present which is why the term traochnateric bursitis is no longer used
What causes greater trochanteric pain syndrome?
Pass med - “Repeated movement of the fibroelastic iliotibial band”
CKS - Inflammation or physical trauma in the muscles. Most commonly a tendinopathyor muscular tear of the gluteus medius, minimus or trochanteric bursitis
Other causes are iliotibial band thickening and infection of the trochanteric bursa
Who is greater trochanteric pain syndrome most common in?
Women aged 40-60
Can occur in younger people - especially runners, footballers and dancers
How does greater trochanteric pain syndrome present?
Chronic lateral hip/thigh/buttock pain which can be intermittent or persistent
Onset is gradual and may progressively worsen over time
An aching or burning pain that may radiate down the lateral aspect of the thigh
Pain is typically aggravated by physical activity and with pressure eon that side of the body e.g. sitting cross-legged, sleeping on that side
Pain on palpation of the greater trochanter
Special tests to establish the diagnosis of greater trochanteric pain syndrome?
Palpate the greater trochanter
Trendelenburg test - pelvis drops down on the contralateral side
Resisted abduction of the hip
Resisted internal rotation of the hip
Resisted external rotation of the hip
How does iliotibial band syndrome/snapping hip syndrome present?
Lateral hip pain on walking, running or cycling with or without snapped
Lateral knee pain aggravated by repetitive activity
How does iliopsoas bursitis present?
Reproducible painful snapping sensations in the anterior hip
Pain is often worsened by activity’s such as walking, climbing stairs or crossing legs
Management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome?
Reassure it is self limiting
Rest, ice, analgesia, weight loss, smoking cessation
Assess needs for aids and devices
If this fails… peri-trochanteric corticosteroid injections and referral to PT