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Shoulder bursitis
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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What is bursitis of the shoulder joint (BSL) and what danger does it pose? The fact is that during work, bones, muscles and ligaments can rub.
To prevent this process from being painful and unpleasant, a special fluid is secreted. So, near each joint there is a so-called bursa, in which this fluid is formed. During joint overstrain, it can become inflamed and cause a number of unpleasant sensations to a person.
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Causes of Shoulder Bursitis
Do you know the main causes of bursitis of the shoulder joint and how to distinguish it from other diseases? Often, this phenomenon occurs with excessive "use" of this joint. This happens due to injuries, in general, the cause of inflammation of the synovial bag lies in the repetition of the same physical exercise or load. So, when playing golf, it is quite easy to get BPL. Even ordinary kneeling while cleaning can provoke inflammation of the knee bursa. Therefore, you need to be careful everywhere. It is quite easy to notice that something is wrong. Swelling may appear, mobility may decrease, and in general, a number of unpleasant sensations will appear.
Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis
How to determine that inflammation has occurred and are there any specific symptoms of bursitis of the shoulder joint? It is quite easy to feel that something is wrong. Firstly, there will be visual signs of inflammation. So it can be redness and swelling. In general, everything is accompanied by pain, especially with a sharp movement of the hand. In addition, the movements will be somewhat limited, because all this can be accompanied by a number of unpleasant sensations. In any case, if such symptoms are detected, it is worth consulting a doctor, because everything may not be so harmless.
Calcific bursitis of the shoulder joint
It occurs in the same cases as ordinary inflammation of the synovial bag. This can be facilitated by sports and even too active games. It is quite easy to get a dislocation or injury. The main thing is to notice in time that something is wrong and go to see an experienced specialist. Especially if the BPL is accompanied by swelling and redness. After all, in reality it may turn out that everything is much more serious than it seemed. Therefore, you should not take unnecessary risks. There is nothing terrible about this, but, nevertheless, help should be provided in a timely manner.
Subacromial bursitis of the shoulder joint
What is subacromial bursitis of the shoulder joint? It is necessary to understand that absolutely any movement of tendons and bones is always accompanied by friction. But the fact is that this process is often softened by a special fluid, which is in a special "bag". So, when the bursa becomes inflamed, this fluid is not released. This "bag" begins to be under constant pressure for some period, which is where a number of unpleasant sensations arise. That is why timely medical assistance can relieve this pressure. Thus, a person can again return to his usual activity. After all, inflammation of the synovial bag of the shoulder joint causes a lot of unpleasant sensations.
Subdeltoid bursitis of the shoulder joint
How to distinguish subdeltoid bursitis of the shoulder joint? In fact, only an experienced doctor can determine what actually happened. Otherwise, it is too difficult to say anything. After all, there are quite a lot of types of inflammation of the synovial bag and each of them is characterized by something special. So, in this case, the pain appears not only in the entire arm, but also in the shoulder. Moreover, it is so sharp that a person can cope with it only with the help of good painkillers. You can’t leave things to chance. You should immediately seek help from an experienced specialist. The situation that has arisen can lead to serious consequences.
Ossifying bursitis of the shoulder joint
What is the characteristic of ossifying bursitis of the shoulder joint? In fact, there is no particular difference between all types of inflammation of the synovial bag. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the nature of the pain. It can be either aching or cutting. In the latter case, you will have to go to the hospital without fail. After all, this may be some kind of complication. Also, the picture is the same. Redness, swelling, pain in the shoulder, which gives to the muscles of the arm. It is advisable to immediately begin to take measures to eliminate pain. After all, if you do not do this, you can easily aggravate the situation.
Subcoracoid bursitis of the shoulder joint
How can you identify subcoracoid bursitis of the shoulder joint? In this case, everything is not so difficult. However, if you do not provide timely assistance, then some unpleasant sensations may arise. Therefore, it is pointless to delay a visit to the doctor. The fact is that almost all athletes and people who do monotonous work encounter inflammation of the synovial bag. The BPL becomes inflamed quite quickly and you do not need to do anything special for this. Therefore, if we are talking about heavy physical exertion, it is advisable to give the muscles a rest so that no unpleasant sensations arise in the future.
Calculous bursitis of the shoulder joint
What is it characterized by and how to help the victim? The symptoms are the same: inflammation, swelling and pain. Only in some cases the pain is so severe that it is difficult for a person to cope with it on their own. In this case, immediate help from a specialist is needed. It is foolish to let this situation take its course, because it will entail unpleasant sensations and even complications in the future. Therefore, if any symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. Inflammation of the synovial bag of the shoulder joint requires immediate elimination.
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Where does it hurt?
Diagnosis of bursitis of the shoulder joint
How is bursitis of the shoulder joint diagnosed? For an experienced doctor, it is quite easy to determine the presence of inflammation. First of all, he will conduct a routine examination and, based on visual signs, will tell what he is dealing with. It is quite easy to distinguish BPL from other inflammatory phenomena. But what if you cannot immediately understand what it is? In this case, the same X-ray is used. After the "disease" is diagnosed, it is necessary to move on to treatment options. Leaving everything as it is in fact is impossible, because this can lead to various consequences in the future. Inflammation of the synovial bag of the shoulder joint requires treatment.
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How can the disease be recognized?
In fact, everything is elementary. As soon as the bursa becomes inflamed, a person will immediately feel it. After all, a number of unpleasant symptoms will appear, both visual and internal. BPL is accompanied by sharp pain, at the moment when a person tries to move his hand. Moreover, you can notice redness, and even swelling. Why does this happen? The fact is that any friction of ligaments or bones is accompanied by wetting with a special liquid. It is located just in the bursa, if it becomes inflamed, then some pressure is felt. The situation must be corrected definitely, so as not to aggravate the course of the "disease".
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
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Treatment of bursitis of the shoulder joint
How is bursitis of the shoulder joint treated? In order to relieve pain, the victim can take any painkiller. But this will not be enough, to relieve swelling and inflammation, you will have to buy a special ointment. You do not need a special prescription to purchase these products. After all, all that needs to be done first is to relieve pain and swelling. After that, you should go to see a doctor. He, in turn, will examine and write out recommendations for the care and restoration of the joint. Sometimes it is necessary to apply a splint so that the joint is fixed and does not bring unnecessary pain to the victim. Therefore, if a person has inflammation of the synovial bag of the shoulder joint, it is imperative to go to see a doctor.
As a rule, drug treatment is used directly. What does it represent? To relieve pain and inflammation in general, it is necessary to use anti-inflammatory drugs. These include analgesics and any hormonal drugs. However, it is not recommended to use them on your own without consulting a doctor. These drugs are usually taken orally. Ointments and gels are used for local action, it is important that they contain painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Ichthyol ointment is perfect, it can relieve inflammation. Do not forget about Finalgel, Febrofid and Fastum. These ointments can be used on your own, without consulting a doctor.
If we are talking about purulent inflammation of the synovial bursa, then in this case everything is a little more complicated. It is necessary to make a puncture and remove the pathological contents. This procedure is performed only by the attending physician. If we are talking about bacterial etiology, then antibiotics are indispensable. In addition to drug treatment, physiotherapy is also used. It is a procedure aimed at treating the shoulder. But they are prescribed only if the BPL has a chronic form.
More information of the treatment
Prevention of bursitis of the shoulder joint
What does prevention of bursitis of the shoulder joint mean? It is necessary to significantly reduce the load on the diseased joint. Therefore, you will have to give up exercises and many of your usual activities. If there is a risk of getting such inflammation, then you should give your body a little rest. Excessive physical activity can lead to this phenomenon. You need to understand this, and if we are talking about monotonous work, then you should alternate it with rest. After all, in especially serious cases, you will have to give up your usual activity for a long time. Therefore, you should not overload your body. Inflammation of the synovial bag of the shoulder joint can bring a lot of unpleasant sensations.
Forecast
What is the prognosis for bursitis of the shoulder joint and is it dangerous? In general, such a combination of circumstances is quite normal. Because it is difficult for people engaged in physical work to avoid injuries. Naturally, in most cases the prognosis is positive. But here a lot depends on the nature of the injury. If a person does not seek help in time, then some problems may arise. After all, in most cases, a splint is necessary. The joint needs rest, and without this "device" it will be impossible to do. In general, there is nothing terrible about this. Some procedures, drug treatment and after a while a person can again perform his usual work. Bursitis of the shoulder joint is not a terrible phenomenon if you start to fight it in time.