Everyday complaint bursitis
In many cases, bursitis is caused by excessive physical strain. However, it can also be caused by bacterial infection or other diseases. In most cases, the inflammation is treated conservatively, although in some cases radiation therapy can also achieve good results. The aim of the therapy is to get rid of the inflammation in the region of the bursa in order to restore pain-free movement of the limb.
up to 160
Bursa in the human body
approx. 15,000
Bursitis cases per year
Source: “LMG/leading-medicine-guide.de
Where can you have bursitis treated in Munich?
The bursae are found in many parts of the human organism. The bursitis most commonly occurs in the shoulder, elbow, knee, foot and hip. Our specialists will create an individual treatment plan for you
Choose one of our locations and discuss everything with our specialists.
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How is bursitis treated?
Bursae are fluid-filled tissue cushions located either between two joints or between bones and tendons, muscles or ligaments. They serve as buffers and protect these body structures from friction-induced damage during pressure and movement.
Conservative therapies are usually chosen for the treatment of overuse-related bursitis. If these do not bring about a satisfactory improvement, alternative therapies such as radiation therapy or shock wave therapy may be considered for the patient.
Conservative therapies
The first step in treatment is usually to rest or immobilize the overloaded joint for a few days. Cooling gels or ointments and cold packs can reduce swelling in the joint. Taking anti-inflammatory medications or injecting cortisone can also counteract the inflammation.
Shockwave therapy
If these measures do not help, shock wave therapy can also be considered. This form of treatment uses sonic pulses in which the shock wave intensity is based on the severity of the disease. This treatment with shock waves activates the body’s own healing processes, which reduces inflammation more quickly. This form of therapy is offered by the treating orthopaedist.
Radiotherapy
If the inflammation is already more advanced or even chronic, or if other treatment methods have not led to success, radiation therapy can lead to successful treatment. Compared to cancer therapy, only a low-dose radiation dose is used in X-ray stimulation irradiation.
The inflamed body region is irradiated from the outside (percutaneously) for only a few seconds. Since the irradiation is very focused locally, the surrounding healthy tissue is spared. The aim of X-ray irradiation is to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the affected bursa.
What do you need to pay attention to before, during and after treatment?
If a person is diagnosed with bursitis, the doctor advises the patient about the possible forms of treatment, their procedures and possible side effects. The treatment plan takes into account the individual preferences of the patient and it is directly tailored to the patient. If conservative treatment methods such as rest or cooling of the inflamed body region or medication do not help to bring about a sustained improvement in the condition, X-ray stimulation irradiation may be able to achieve better results.
In both cases, treatment takes place on an outpatient basis. The doctor’s staff informs the patient about the exact procedure of the therapy and marks the corresponding part of the body. In the case of X-ray stimulation irradiation, the correct radiation dose must also be set. After just a few minutes, the actual treatment is completed.
After the treatment has been completed, we recommend that patients have a follow-up examination after approximately 3 months. In a personal conversation with the patient, it can be determined whether the treatment was successful and whether the patient’s condition has improved. If necessary, depending on the extent of the inflammation, a second serial treatment, at the earliest after 3 months, may be beneficial.
What are the side effects of bursitis treatment?
In most cases, the treatment of bursitis is very well tolerated. Nevertheless, despite careful planning, side effects can sometimes occur during or after treatment. These depend on the particular treatment method.
Because X-ray stimulation irradiation uses only a low-dose of radiation, there is usually little risk of side effects. Patients report an increased sensitivity to pain or an increase in pain in the treatment area. The so-called initial deterioration is in principle to be regarded as positive. Furthermore, skin dryness or redness may occur.