Is your child always complaining of tenderness or pain in the shoulder? He or she may be suffering from shoulder bursitis.
What is Bursitis?
The bursa is a sac filled with lubricating fluid that acts as a gliding surface for the tendons. It helps decrease the friction whenever the tendons rub off against other body parts such as bones, ligaments, and skin.
Currently, there are 160 bursae found all over the body, with the major ones located on the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
Bursitis occurs whenever the bursa becomes swollen or gets irritated from increased pressure. Once the bursa gets inflamed, the tendon does not glide smoothly over it, making any form of movement painful.
Causes of Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis have many causes, the most common of which is repetitive motion. Athletes are prone to develop shoulder bursitis whenever they perform a repetitive action, such as throwing, pitching, or swimming. This medical condition can happen gradually or suddenly.
Other causes of shoulder bursitis are direct trauma to the shoulder, incorrect posture, calcium deposits, bone overgrowth, infection, or autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms of Bursitis
The hallmark symptom of bursitis is localized swelling. A visible bump on the shoulder will appear. Pain can be felt either on the outer side or tip of the shoulder whenever there is movement, such as lying on the affected shoulder, rotating the arm, or simply pushing or pulling open a door.
Treatment of Bursitis
Home remedies such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and cold compress can be used to treat bursitis. It is also important for the child to take a complete rest, and to avoid doing the motion that originally caused the shoulder pain.
When to See a Doctor
If the pain continues to persist in the next couple of weeks, your child may need to see a San Diego pediatric orthopedist to achieve complete recovery and to regain his or her complete range of motion.
