Bursitis of the knee joint is a disease that occurs as a result of inflammation of the joint bag.Often, as a result of trauma or heavy physical exertion, the synovial membrane of the knee joints begins to release excess volume of intra-articular fluid. This is a protective reaction of the body, which helps to remove from the joint excessive tension and minimize the negative impact of the traumatic factor.
However, at some point the intra-articular fluid becomes so much that it is no longer processed by the body and begins to accumulate in cavities synovium, which leads to the formation of bursitis of the knee joint, about the symptoms and methods of treatment which we will talk about in this article.
Causes
Why does the knee bursitis occur, and what is it? The causes of bursitis are not always apparent. Very often it arises quite unexpectedly and, it would seem, without a reason.
Development of the diseasemay precede:
- Injuries and injuries of the knee joint (bruises, abrasions, small wounds).
- Stretching of the joint due to its overload.
- A sharp increase in physical activity.
- Inflammation of the joints (arthritis, gout).
- Infectious lesions (infection by pyogenic microbes).
Depending on which bag inflamed,distinguish such species of bursitis:
- Anatomical, or suprapatellar (pre-patellar) bursitis is the most common type of disease when a knee bag is inflamed.
- Popliteal, or infratellular bursitis - inflammation of the popliteal synovial bag.
- Baker's cyst is a lesion of the synovial bag, which is in the lower inner part of the knee joint.
Also distinguish:
- Serous bursitis- Aseptic (without germs) inflammation of the synovial bag. Develops due to trauma or stretching.
- Purulent- when pathogenic microorganisms enter the cavity of the bursa, which cause the formation of pus. As a rule, bacteria (mostly staphylococci) penetrate into the synovial bag through wounds and cracks in the skin.
According to the type of current, bursitis can be acute (suddenly arising, flowing very brightly and just as quickly ending) and chronic (flowing sluggishly and for a long time). Therefore, the symptoms and treatment scheme of the disease will directly depend on the type and form of bursitis.
Symptoms of bursitis of the knee joint
Symptoms of bursitis of the knee joint are strongly pronounced. It has certain characteristics:
- Inflammation and pain in the joints, which becomes especially noticeable during pressing on the area near the joint.
- Slight stiffness or a decrease in the range of movements in the area of the affected joint.
- Redness or swelling over the affected joint.
- Appearance of weakness in muscles.
- Weakness, malaise, decreased efficiency.
- Increase in temperature (in the bursitis area).
- Increased body temperature, especially in the case of infectious bursitis.
With prolonged mechanical stimulation of the bursa, chronic bursitis of the knee can develop. In acute bursitis, pathologoanatomical changes will be expressed by an obvious inflammation of the bursa walls.
Bursitis of the knee joint: photo
As the bursitis of the knee looks, we offer detailed photos for viewing.
Diagnostics
To understand how to treat bursitis of the knee joint, the doctor should not simply diagnose it, but also determine the cause of its development. One of the most important points of diagnosis is confirmation of the aseptic nature of inflammation, for which the puncture of the bag is performed.
- If a transparent liquid is obtained as a result, it can be concluded thataseptic inflammation.
- Obtaining pus suggests that the cause of bursitis has becomepathogens.
- Baker's cystit is also quite easy to determine due to its characteristic location meter - in the popliteal fossa.
- In the case of popliteal bursitis resort to instrumental methods - ultrasound examination, arthrography and radiography of the knee joint.
In general, the diagnosis of this disease is not a problem - an experienced specialist for this is enough to conduct a general examination and palpation.
Treatment of bursitis of the knee joint
In the case of detection of bursitis of the knee joint, therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the cause of inflammation and reducing its severity. This requires a comprehensive approach, which includes:
- Rest for the joint;
- Treatment with medicines;
- Physical therapy procedures.
The specific ways of treating bursitis of the knee depend on the nature of the disease. In the aseptic form of inflammation of the synovial bag, the therapy regimen usually includes:
- Ensuring a state of rest for the knee;
- Application of ice compresses;
- Admission of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
- Miorelaxants (diazepam, baclofen) - to relieve spasm of muscle tissue and blood vessels;
- Aspiration of the synovial fluid. It is produced by accumulation of a significant volume of fluid in the seminal bursa.
In the case of septic (purulent) bursitis, antibiotics are primarily prescribed. Also shown is the removal of pus from the bursa by aspiration, drainage of the joint bag.
Local treatment
At the moment there are a lot of anti-inflammatory ointments:
- voltaren emulgel;
- traumeel;
- diklak;
- DIP reelif;
- chondroxide;
Externally applied compresses with dimexide and 0.5% solution of novocaine, taken in the proportions of 1: 3, respectively:
- the mixture obtained is moistened with a gauze cloth and applied to a sore spot;
- above impose a polyethylene film and warmed with a scarf or towel.
The duration of use of such a compress should not exceed 30 minutes, as it is possible to get the strongest burns.
Folk ways to ease the condition
Over time, all folk methods have been tested for efficiency. At home, you can use only the best of them:
- Compress from cabbage. It is used against the inflammation of the joint and to relieve pain. Here it is simple - we remove the sheet, remove the rough veins, soften it with a rolling pin until the juice appears and apply it to the place of inflammation, which is oiled with honey. We are wrapping up a film and a scarf. In this case honey allows deeper penetration of cabbage juice and has antiseptic properties, and in combination with cabbage it successfully draws out fluid with infection. Compress keep 4-8 hours.
- Celery tea. This drink helps to strengthen the body and helps to fight with the existing inflammation. For its preparation, one table is taken. l. seeds of celery, poured a glass of boiling water, infused for 1.5-2 hours and filtered. You should drink twice a day for 2 weeks.
- Propolis lotion. 10 g of propolis need to pour 100 ml of 40% vodka and insist this mixture for five days. Then make the lotions on the problem site until the swelling is gone.
Also, when the disease worsens, ice cubes can be applied to the knee joint, tightly fixed with a bandage.
Operative intervention
Operation with bursitis is rarely required and is prescribed as an extreme measure, when traditional drug therapy did not work.
Indication for the operation:
- purulent process;
- chronic course without the effect of conservative therapy;
- fistulous form;
- trauma with penetration into the bursal cavity.
During surgery, the inflamed articular bag is removed, which leads to disability of the patient.
Further recovery
The speed of recovery of knee mobility is largely related to the efforts of the patient himself. To shorten the rehabilitation period, you need to exercise, exercise.
It is necessary to abandon occupations leading to the formation of microtraumatic joints. At this stage, there are effective folk remedies: infusions and compresses that reduce swelling.
Preventive measures
Preventive maintenance of disease consists in competent distribution of loads at work or trainings, preparation of ligamentous apparatus to take action, ensure safe conditions, exclude the possibility of injury.
Anyone who has suffered bursitis of the knee in any form should periodically use elastic patella. They will support the knee, and provide a compression effect that will reduce the degree of strain on the knee joint.
If the skin is damaged, carefully treat it with an antiseptic, or apply an antibacterial ointment or patch. All emerging phenomena of pyoderma, as well as any rashes in the knee area should be treated promptly.
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