Shoulder bursitis, also called “impingement syndrome” is an inflammation of the bursa in the shoulder. A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissues (like muscles, tendons, and skin), helping to reduce friction during movement. In the shoulder, the most commonly affected bursa is the subacromial bursa, located between the acromion (the bony tip of the shoulder blade) and the rotator cuff tendons.
Shoulder bursitis can occur due to:
Common symptoms of shoulder bursitis include:
Diagnosis is primarily clinical and typically involves:
• Physical examination: Assessing pain, tenderness, and range of motion.
• Imaging: X-rays can rule out other causes like bone spurs, while ultrasound or MRI can visualize inflamed bursae or associated tendon problems.
• Aspiration: In rare cases, fluid may be withdrawn from the bursa to check for infection.
Rotator cuff tears can be categorized into several types based on severity and cause:
• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms.
• Ice: Applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can alleviate pain and swelling.
• Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises can improve shoulder mechanics.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections can significantly reduce inflammation and pain.
• Surgical intervention: Rarely needed but may involve removing the inflamed bursa if conservative treatments fail.
Bursitis is generally self-limited and most patients recover over a period of a few months with time and appropriate anti-inflammatory measures.
• Proper posture: Maintaining good posture during activities.
• Warm-up: Performing proper warm-up and stretching before exercise.
• Strength training: Keeping shoulder muscles strong can prevent overuse injuries.
• Avoid repetitive stress: Take breaks during activities involving overhead movements.
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