Bursitis Bursitis is described as inflammation of a bursa. Some bursas are considered “
” as
they are congenital, while others are “
” as they are acquired.
Bursitis of a true bursa can be caused by tendonitis of the overlying tendon, overuse of the muscle/tendon crossing the bursa, acute direct trauma or infection of the bursa. False bursitis is caused by irritation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue overlying the bursa. True bursitis is a synovitis of the congenital bursa where the synovial membrane of the bursa becomes irritated and produces excess, watery synovial fluid. This causes on the bursa capsule and on the tendon that runs over the bursa that results in pain. False bursitis or , describes the inflammation or an acquired bursa or the formation of a synovial capsule in the subcutaneous tissue in response to repeated irritation of the skin. This acquired bursa fills with synovial fluid ( ) and/or blood ( ) causing inflammation in the surrounding tissue. The chronic inflammation leads to of the skin and bursa. on palpation of the bursa, pain on contraction of the muscle/tendon running across the bursa, heat and swelling of the bursa and increasing lameness with exercise. False bursitis is seen as heat and swelling over the acquired bursa in the acute stage and as fibrosis of the skin and bursa area in the chronic stage. No lameness is associated with a false bursitis. Clinically true bursitis is seen as
Diagnosis of bursitis is made through case history, clinical signs and symptoms, blocking the bursa with local analgesics and through ultrasound.
Treatment of bursitis includes rest, cold hydrotherapy, intrabursal corticosteroid , IRAP therapy, drainage of bursa fluid, oral administration of NSAID’s, topical preparations such as DMSO, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and the injection of irritants to promote fibrosis. Massage can be used to reduce adhesions between the bursa and other soft tissue structures, but caution must be used when applying pressure to the tissue surrounding the bursa or pulling the skin over the bursa as this may cause pain. Most cases of false bursitis can be resolved by removing the instigating factor. Occasionally there maybe be pain, heat and swelling of the overlying skin. If there is damage to the skin, infection is possible. In chronic cases drainage or surgery maybe necessary.
Common True Bursitis Conditions Trauma, tendonitis of the biceps tendon, blankets or tack predisposes a horse for
of the shoulder joint and ill-fitting
bursitis. It is more commonly seen in Standardbreds due to the extreme stride length. This puts more pressure on the bursa when the elbow is in full extension during retraction. Signs & symptoms include varying degrees of lameness of the affected limb, shoulder held in extension and lateral circumduction of shoulder joint. Prognosis is good with prompt treatment.
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