Septic bursitis, or infectious bursitis,
is more serious than other forms of bursitis. Clinically
speaking, it's hard to distinguish between symptoms of
septic and aseptic bursitis.
It's important for physicians to
determine if the bursa is infected because septic and
aseptic bursitis share similar symptoms. Common areas to
experience septic bursitis are on the kneecaps and tips
of the elbows. Some of the symptoms of septic bursitis
include swelling, pain and warmth in the area of the
infected bursa, fever and redness. Some people also
experience swollen glands near the infected bursa.
If infected, treatments doctors may
recommend include ice packs, antibiotics, pain
medication and herbal remedies like Arthritin. When the
symptoms for septic bursitis are mild to moderate,
doctors often prescribe oral antibiotics.
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Depending on the severity of your septic
bursitis, you may need to keep your extremity
immobilized to prevent further aggravation of the bursa.
If the septic bursitis includes lymphangitis or
concomitant cellulites, your doctor may recommend
intravenous antibiotics. Intravenous therapy is
typically two grams of a penicillinase-resistant
antibiotic every four hours.
For the most severe forms of septic
bursitis, surgical intervention is recommended. If your
doctor does take the route of performing surgery for
septic bursitis, it will be a simple incision and
drainage done in an operating room under sterile
conditions. In most cases, your doctor will want to wait
to excise the bursa if there is inflamed, infected
tissues because it is best to wait until the infection
is under control before operating.
Your doctor will advise you about signs
of a worsening case of septic bursitis. If your doctor
gives you oral or intravenous antibiotics for septic
bursitis you may need daily examinations. Because
diverse organisms including haemophilus, neisseria,
cryptococcus and mycobacteria species can cause septic
bursitis, close monitoring of reactions to antibiotics
and follow-up of culture results will be integral parts
of therapy.
However, if you do not have a fever or
leukocytosis, you may be handled as an outpatient with a
cephalosporin such as cephalexin. The initial treatment
is generally 500 milligrams every eight hours.
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Some septic bursitis treatments are more
reliable than others. In fact, one study showed
non-diagnostic aspiration missed the evidence of septic
bursitis in 37 percent of patients. Experts recommend
aspiration with a gram stain, culture and sensitivities
for patients who may have underlying bursal infection.
Researchers have found all patients with
septic bursitis have an elevated temperature, although
the percentage varies from 15 to 86 percent. Meanwhile,
one study suggested 50 percent of the nonseptic patients
in its series had increased bursal warmth.
What can you expect if you are diagnosed
with septic bursitis?
First, your doctor treating you for
septic bursitis will check to see if fluid is present.
If it is, he or she will aspirate and call for a cell
count and gram stain. Next, your doctor may begin
antibiotic treatment if cellulitis is present. He or she
may also obtain blood for bacterial cultures if your
joint is septic. As your doctor monitors on an inpatient
or outpatient basis for septic bursitis, you will want
to remain immobilized with a splint to rest the joint.
You may also add padding to prevent further irritation
and apply ice to bursa frequently. Finally, you will
need to visit your physician for regular check-ups and
follow his or her instructions until you no longer show
symptoms related to septic bursitis.
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