Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

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Inflammation of a bursa. SYN: bursal synovitis.

- anserine b. inflammation of the anserine bursa lying between the pes anserinus and the upper medial surface of the tibia.

- calcific b. inflammation of a bursa that results in the deposition of calcium salts; most commonly associated with subdeltoid b..

- ischial b. inflammation of the bursa overlying the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis.

- olecranon b. inflammation of the olecranon bursa, overlying the prominence of the elbow.

- prepatellar b. SYN: housemaid's knee.

- subacromial b. inflammation of the subacromial bursa lying between the acromion above and the rotator cuff below; may be continuous with the subdeltoid bursa.

- subdeltoid b. inflammation of the subdeltoid bursa lying between the deltoid muscle and the underlying proximal humerus and rotator cuff; may be continuous with the subacromial bursa.

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bur·si·tis (.)bər-'sīt-əs n inflammation of a bursa (as of the shoulder or elbow)

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(bursal synovitis)

n.

inflammation of a bursa, resulting from injury, infection, or rheumatoid synovitis. It produces pain and tenderness and sometimes restricts movement at a nearby joint; for example, at the shoulder. Treatment of bursitis not due to infection is by rest and corticosteroid injection. See also housemaid's knee.

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bur·si·tis (bər-siґtis) inflammation of a bursa, occasionally accompanied by a calcific deposit in the underlying tendon; the most common site is the subdeltoid bursa.