Chapter 4 The Skeletal System 161 joint. Bursitis is an overuse injury that produces irritation and inflammation of the bursae due to friction. The most common locations are the shoulder, elbow, and hip. Symptoms of bursitis may include aching and stiffness of the joint, pain with joint motion, and sometimes swelling. Treatment consists of simply resting the joint until symptoms disappear. Check Your Understanding 1. Which structures are affected when a joint is sprained? 2. What types of actions may result in dislocations? 3. What are the causes and symptoms of bursitis? Signs and symptoms include visible joint deformity, pain, swelling, and some loss of movement capability. Treatment involves first reducing the dislocation, which means restoring the displaced bone to its correct anatomical location. A physician may order an X-ray or MRI to assess the damaged joint. Depending on the nature of the damage, a splint or sling may be used to immobilize the joint for a time. Surgical repair may be necessary if tendons or ligaments have ruptured. Bursitis Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning of the moving tissues around a Common Joint Injuries and Disorders Etiology Prevention Pathology Diagnosis Treatment Sprains motion causing overstretching of ligaments and tendons Be careful! swelling and pain that is exacerbated with use of the joint physical exam, MRI to check for complete rupture of a ligament or tendon R.I.C.E. (Rest, intermittent Icing, Compression with an elastic bandage, Elevation), surgical repair if necessary Dislocations force that dislodges a bone from its normal position in a joint Be careful! visible joint deformity, pain, swelling, some loss of movement capability physical exam, X-ray or MRI to assess joint damage may include immobilization with a splint or sling, surgical repair if necessary Bursitis overuse of a joint avoid excessive, repetitive joint motion joint aching, stiffness, pain with motion, swelling physical exam cease the activity that caused the injury, rest the joint Lyme disease borrelia bacteria is transmitted in the bite of a deer tick avoid wooded or grassy areas, insecticide, prompt removal of any ticks bull’s-eye shaped rash, fever, head- ache, fatigue if untreated can cause joint pain and other problems physical exam, blood test for presence of antibodies to the bacteria oral or injected antibiotics Rheumatoid arthritis the body’s immune system attacks the synovial membranes no known prevention inflammation and thickening of synovial membranes leading to destruction of the joint over time physical exam, blood tests for inflammation, imaging tests to track joint destruction anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs Osteoarthritis wearing away of articular cartilage no known prevention pain, tenderness, loss of flexibility, and joint stiffness physical exam, imaging tests anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections of cortisone or hyaluronic acid, joint replacement Figure 4.38 Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.