Bursitis and Septic Arthritis

Assessment:

• If the patient is systematically unwell it is unlikely to be a chronic bursitis. Additionally something more sinister might be going onsuch a flare up of Lupus which would require more urgent treatment.
• Always treat the patient not the condition.
• Aspiration may be indicated still in chronic arthritis however this is very much a specialist thing and requires referral to orthopaedics and/or rheumatology.

Cause:

• Has there been an exacerbation of an underlying condition?

Exacerbating Factors:

• Is the patient not taking adequate medication? are they not taking the correct medication?
• A history is incredibly important here.

Control:

• Put together a plan factoring in all of the above to better management underlying conditions that may be causing this.
• Consult Rheumatology if you think the bursitis is likely to be Rheumatic in nature or alternatively refer to a dietician if the bursitis is lifestyle related.
• Emphasise the importance of managing the underlying condition to the patient to prevent relapse.