Bursitis (shoulder)

Bursitis is a disruption of the movement pattern of the shoulder girdle. Overuse during prolonged activities reduces the space between the tendon (rotator cuff) and the shoulder roof (acromion).

Symptoms

With bursitis, the pain is located mainly at the level of the upper arm. The pain can also radiate to the neck and elbow. Loss of strength occurs as a result of the pain. Due to reduced bloodflow, there is an increased risk of inflammation of the tendon and bursa.

Typical for a bursitis in the shoulder is that the pain increases with movements above shoulder height. At this moment a impingement occurs. 

Shoulder impingement

Bursitis sometimes occurs with tendon calcification or after a rotator cuff tear.

Tendon calcification shoulder
Rotator cuff tear

Treatment

First, attempts are made to correct the problem by avoiding eliciting activities and using anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Physical therapy is needed to restore the movement pattern. You can follow an orthopaedic rehabilitation program for this condition.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

If these attempts are not succeful enough, surgery may be necessary. Through keyhole surgery, the bursa is removed and the accessibility of the tendon is increased. Rotator cuff damage is checked for and repaired if necessary.

Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)

Departments

For more information, please visit the orthopaedics department.

Association orthopaedics 011 33 42 86 dr. Peter Bollars 011 69 96 60