Treatment at home for elbow bursitis with Dimexide

01.12.2020

Bursitis is an inflammation of the synovial bursa inside the joints. The bursae are located at the point where the joint contacts the tendon fibers. Synovial bursae are filled with a special mucous fluid. Their function is to absorb loads on the joint and ensure the sliding of fibers along the bone surface.

When the synovial bursa of the elbow joint is inflamed, the volume of mucous fluid inside increases due to the influx of protein and blood elements. A swelling occurs followed by swelling in the affected area.

In addition to the tumor, bursitis contributes to an increase in the amount of calcium salts in the joints. The fluid itself provides joint cartilage with elasticity and strength, but with increasing levels of calcium salts, growths can occur that can damage bone tissue.

In addition, synovial fluid accelerates the healing process of fiber microtraumas. Consequently, during the inflammatory process, the joints become more vulnerable to damage.

Causes of elbow bursitis

Inflammation of the elbow joint occurs due to:

• arthritis – inflammation of the joints themselves. There are several types of this inflammatory disease - rheumatoid, gouty and psoriatic;
• infections. Getting into the pocket of the elbow joint through skin lesions, blood or lymph, various infections provoke inflammation;
• injuries or bruises. Most often, bursitis occurs in professional athletes, since the elbow joint is constantly exposed to stress. Bursitis can become one of the complications if injuries are treated incorrectly;
• metabolic disorders. It can occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, use of steroid drugs, etc.

These are not the only causes of bursitis, but they are the most common. Inflammation can also be caused by chronic diseases, autoimmune pathologies, calcium deposits in tendons, etc.

Types of elbow bursitis

There are the following types of inflammation of the elbow joint:

• purulent - accompanied by the constant formation of pus in the mucous fluid. The temperature rises and redness appears in the affected area. The patient may experience difficulty in moving.
• acute – characterized by severe pain in the affected area during activity or contact. On palpation, pain spreads throughout the arm.
• chronic (recurrent) – occurs with repeated inflammation of the mucous bursae of the elbow joint. Usually there is no swelling or problems with movement, and the pain is mild but long-lasting.
• post-traumatic – occurs in people who have received injuries as a result of professional activities. This type of bursitis occurs after damage to the joint.

Bursitis is also classified according to the nature of the effect on the fluid inside the bags:

• serous - considered a mild form, in which the synovial fluid acquires the properties of serum;
• hemorrhagic - accompanied by the accumulation of fluid along with blood.

Despite the variety of degrees of inflammation, elbow bursitis is a dangerous type of disease, so it is strongly recommended to consult a specialist to diagnose inflammation.

Contraindications and side effects

If bursitis is diagnosed, treatment with Dimexide is prescribed strictly by a doctor, since its improper use can aggravate the course of the disease and provoke a number of complications. The drug has a fairly wide list of contraindications.

Contraindications for the use of Dimexide are pregnancy and breastfeeding

Treatment is prescribed with caution to patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system:

• heart failure;
• hypertonic disease;
• cardiac ischemia;
• arrhythmia;
• heart attack

An absolute contraindication is intolerance to the components included in the drug. In this case, taking Dimexide may cause an allergic reaction (rash, itching, urticaria, swelling and even bronchospasm).

The drug is not prescribed for pregnant and lactating women for bursitis. It has been proven that the active substances have a detrimental effect on the fetus during pregnancy and can pass into breast milk. During treatment, a woman must transfer her baby to an adapted milk formula, since there is a risk of him developing diseases of the nervous system.

Despite the beneficial properties of the drug, taking it together with other medications is dangerous. Its effect is enhanced, and the risk of developing adverse reactions increases significantly. Digestion may be impaired, nausea and vomiting may occur. Dizziness may also occur.

To avoid side effects, read the instructions before using the drug.

How does inflammation of the bursae manifest?

Symptoms of bursitis vary depending on the type of inflammation. But among the general signs the following symptoms can be identified:

• swelling at the site of the elbow lesion - there is no pain;
• difficulty in movement;
• skin color takes on a red tint;
• a tumor forms - after some time, pain appears;
• general body temperature rises, headaches or problems with appetite may occur;
• Difficulty occurs when moving the elbow.

At the first signs of bursitis, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist. Self-diagnosis and self-medication can cause serious consequences and undesirable development of the disease.

Diagnosis of inflammation

The peculiarity of bursitis is that the doctor will be able to determine its type through palpation and a clarifying questioning of the patient. This form of diagnosis is standard.

For an in-depth diagnosis of inflammation, the patient is prescribed an x-ray. With its help, the doctor will be able to study the formation of osteophytes, the condition of the joint, and prescribe effective treatment.

In rare cases, specialists prescribe puncture of the synovial bursa. The method is necessary to diagnose the cause of the disease if the previous examination did not give accurate results.

Features of therapy

Dimexide cannot be called a safe drug. It should be used at home with extreme caution.

For treatment to bring the desired result, follow simple rules:

1. When mixing the solution with other medications, you need to wear rubber gloves, since contact with the skin may cause a burn.
2. Do not rub the solution into your skin under any circumstances. This may cause an allergic reaction. The medicine quickly penetrates the skin. Apply it to a bandage or gauze.
3. Use only freshly prepared portions of the medicine. Solutions cannot be stored, as they lose their healing properties.
4. Before using the medicine, do an allergy test. Apply some solution to your wrist. If after 5-7 minutes redness, itching, and urticaria appear, then further use is contraindicated.
5. If the medication is used as a compress, then keeping it for more than 20 minutes is prohibited.

Remember that self-medication is unacceptable. Before starting treatment, consult your doctor.

Treatment of elbow bursitis

First of all, experts recommend limiting physical activity. The affected joint is fixed with special bandages, and in more severe cases, plaster is used. Rest of the elbow joint has a positive effect on its condition.

Severe pain can be neutralized with painkillers. It is recommended to use only those products prescribed by your doctor.

Removal of accumulated fluid from synovial pockets occurs using joint puncture. After this procedure, the bag is washed with antiseptics and antibacterial drugs, which will increase the rehabilitation time after the disease. To more effectively combat elbow bursitis, doctors prescribe immunostimulants, which include vitamin complexes.

In severe cases of the disease, one of the following operations is performed:

• drainage of the synovial sac to remove mucous fluid through the canal;
• removal of the affected area - during the rehabilitation process, a new synovial sac is formed.

In addition, there are other ways to overcome bursitis, for example, with ointments or injections. Experts do not recommend turning to folk remedies. Self-treatment may be ineffective, and in the worst case, lead to serious consequences.

How to treat bursitis

Treatment of bursitis directly depends on its form. It can be conservative or surgical, or a combination of these methods. The entire treatment period takes from 2 to 5 weeks. The basic principles of treatment are rest, medications, physiotherapy and exercise therapy with elements of massage. Let's briefly look at each aspect.

1. Joint immobilization

First of all, it is important to protect the inflamed area first so as not to irritate it further and cause additional friction. Temporary immobilization helps this. Immobilization should not be too long, otherwise it may lead to contractures. Typically the following fixation is used:

• pressure bandage with an elastic bandage;
• soft or hard bandage
• splint, light plaster

We must remember that the joint must be developed! But it is necessary to start developing it only after consulting a doctor, carefully following all his recommendations so as not to aggravate the process.

1. Compresses and ointments

Your doctor may prescribe topical compresses, gels, and ointments that reduce inflammation. The use of cooling ointments and gels, cold packs or ice helps to calm the inflamed bursa and reduce pain.

Warning:

Do not place cold applications or ice directly on the skin, as frostbite may occur, and do not use them for more than 15 minutes. Cold lotions and compresses can be repeated every hour. Cryotherapy should be used only as prescribed by a doctor!

1. Anti-inflammatory drugs

After consultation with your doctor, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics (for example, ibuprofen or diclofenac) may be taken. They relieve pain and fight inflammation. But it is necessary to remember the contraindications - poor circulation and damage to the gastric mucosa. A full course of antibiotics is prescribed when an infection occurs and after flora has been determined for sensitivity.

1. Aspiration of fluid (puncture, drainage)

If the acute inflammation has subsided and the bursa continues to feel like a cushion of water, such as over the tip of the elbow, aspiration of the fluid (puncture) may be necessary. Using a syringe, the doctor removes 5 to 20 milliliters of fluid and injects cortisone into the bursa. A pressure bandage is then applied so that the bursa does not fill back up. During puncture under unsterile conditions, pathogenic microorganisms can be introduced inside, which can lead to bacterial inflammation. Therefore, the doctor must be experienced and very careful regarding sterile working conditions. To treat bacterial bursitis, the doctor opens the bursa with a surgical incision, drains it, and prescribes antibiotics.

1. Treatment of concomitant diseases

If underlying diseases, such as arthritis, gout, tuberculosis or gonorrhea, provoked bursitis, then therapy is also aimed at treating these underlying diseases.

1. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy in the treatment of bursitis effectively complements basic treatment. It is carried out only after the acute process has stopped and when you are sure that there is no pus in the bag.

At the European Center for Orthopedics and Pain Therapy, patients receive a wide range of physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at activating metabolic processes:

• magnetic therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• phonophoresis;
• shock wave therapy;
• paraffin applications;
• ozone therapy

Experienced doctors will determine the necessary course of physiotherapy and write a treatment regimen in accordance with the manifestations of the disease.

1. Surgical removal of bursitis

If bursitis becomes chronic, meaning it lasts longer than three to six weeks, surgery may help. Complete excision of the bursa may be indicated due to suppuration of the bursa and surrounding tissues. The sutures are removed after 7-10 days. After surgery, subsequent immobilization, possibly a compression bandage and antibiotic therapy are indicated. Recovery after surgery usually lasts 1-2 weeks.

1. Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy for bursitis is aimed at developing the problematic joint and its faster recovery. The set of necessary exercises will depend on the location of bursitis, the patient’s age and concomitant pathology.

If you do not see a doctor in time, complications may occur. Thus, chronic bursitis contributes to the appearance of adhesions that limit the functions of the joint, and the development of painful pathology - heel spurs, bone cysts - is possible. If an infection occurs, sepsis may develop. The prognosis for treatment of bursitis is always favorable. Relapses are quite rare. But it is important to get to a specialist in a timely manner. Only in this case can serious complications be avoided.

Possible complications

Often, ignoring symptoms or trying to diagnose elbow bursitis on your own leads to serious consequences. Untimely treatment can lead to the formation of other ailments, such as:

• lymphangitis - inflammation of the lymphoid ducts is accompanied by the appearance of red lines in the affected area;
• lymphadenitis - damage to the lymph nodes;
• purulent arthritis - the development of inflammation spreading to other joints.

In addition, ignoring elbow bursitis can lead to inflammation becoming severe. In addition to painful consequences, this will complicate diagnosis and treatment.