Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics

Inflammation of a bursa, a shock-absorbing sac of fluid which helps to lubricate friction points. Most frequently bursas become inflamed at the top of the shoulder, back of the shoulder blades, and occasionally at the elbow and at the hip. When a bursa is bruised, irritated or infected, it is filled with excess fluid and may become exceedingly painful, particularly on motion.
Housemaid’s knee is a form of bursitis which results from pressure on the kneecap from kneeling on the floor.
Deltoid bursitis occurs most frequently in men who play golf or tennis or who swing the arms. Calcium is deposited in the bursa, may cause disability, may become so constantly painful as to interfere with sleep. Nowadays, bursas are treated by placing a needle in the sac to remove excess fluid. Heat and rest are used to permit absorption of the excess fluid. The application of X-ray has been helpful. Most recent is the injection of hydrocortisone directly into the bursa, to lessen the inflammation and relieve pain.
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