Another great run on a perfect spring day, another flare-up of the familiar joint pain. Most runners have come to accept that they will always be nursing one injury or another. Sore joints may just feel like another thing to ice and stretch. While this routine may help alleviate pain, bursitis requires medical attention.
Bursitis is most commonly caused by repetitive motions that irritate a joint. This is bad news for athletes since training requires consistency. Luckily, this doesn’t need to stop you! With the right treatment and care plan, you can keep living your active life.
Symptoms include joints that are stiff, achy, swollen, red and pain during pressure or moment. Bursitis is most common in hips, shoulders, elbows and knees, but can also occur in your Achilles tendon or the base of your big toe.
Options for treatment of bursitis range from the conservative to the invasive. A doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics. Corticosteroid injections may also relieve the pain and inflammation. For drug-free treatment, physical therapy and sports medicine is a great option. Temporary use of a walking cane or crutch can also help in recovery. As a last result, surgery may be necessary to drain the swollen area surrounding the joint.
EPAT therapy is a form of sports medicine that can help treat bursitis. Extracorpeal pulse activation treatment (EPAT) is a non-invasive form of shockwave therapy. EPAT therapy can accelerate your body’s own recovery systems. An EPAT session is fast, easy and effective. Shockwave therapy combined with preventative measures will help you recover fast.
Dr. Bob Meyer is a sports medicine doctor in Austin, TX and founder of Spinal Rehab Sports Medicine. He has worked with the University of Texas athletic program developing custom sports injury treatment programs for the nations top athletes. His patients include those suffering from bursitis and many other chronic and/or acute injuries. His custom treatment programs for sports injuries ensure the fastest recovery time possible. He also offer the new FDA approved EPAT shockwave therapy for fast recovery of many common injuries.
