Bursectomy

Bursectomy is a surgery done when an individual has inflamed bursae, and the removal of the inflamed bursae is termed bursectomy. Inflamed bursae are called bursitis and may occur in different body parts such as the elbow joint, the knee joint, the hip joint, or the shoulder joint. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that lubricate and cushion the areas where the bone, ligament, tendon, muscle, or skin rub against each other.

The benefits of the surgery include:

1. Removal of the inflamed bursae, which benefits restricted movements and activities and lowers the pain
2. Simple surgery 
3. Less invasive
4. Less painful
5. Faster recovery

Bursectomy is a procedure done to remove the inflamed bursa (bursitis) in areas such as the elbow, hips, shoulder joints, knee, big toe, or heel need bursectomy.

Your surgeon will:

1. Either inject local or general anaesthesia (depending on the location of the inflamed bursa).
2. Make a small cut by the joint and pass a scope through the cut. The scope has a camera that helps the doctor look at the inflamed area.
3. Pass tools through the scope to remove the bursa and scar tissue.
4. Remove the tools and scope and stitch the cut and place a bandage over it. 
5. Use a sling (a flexible strap) or brace (a device that provides support) to the joint.
6. A cut is made on the skin above the bursa if the inflamed bursa is in the elbow or knee. The bursa is removed entirely, and the incision is closed.
7. If the inflamed bursa is in the shoulder joint, then the bursa is mainly removed with a shoulder joint endoscopy in which an instrument is used with a small camera that helps to examine and repair the shoulder joint.
8. The surgery takes around 30 mins to two hours, depending on the inflamed bursa’s location.

Your doctor will:

1. Conduct examinations (depending on the location of inflamed bursa) like X-ray, ultrasound, or punctures of the bursa.
2. Tell you to discontinue blood clotting medications if you are taking them

1. Position during bursectomy: Depending on the surgical area, you will be either placed in a supine (lying on your back) position (e.g., knee) or prone (lying flat on your stomach) position (e.g., hamstring).
2. Cleaning and draping: Proper cleaning and draping will be done to prevent infection and protect your privacy and comfort.

You can expect the following things. Your doctor will:

1. Instruct you to apply ice packs for 10-15 minutes, twice an hour for 72 hours, if you experience pain near your joint or muscle. Also, you can use hot bags or alternate use of hot and cold treatment after 72 hours.
2. Suggest physical therapy to strengthen your muscles.
3. Ask you to not smoke as smoking delays tissue and wound healing.
4. Tell you to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
5. Tell you to take painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen to lower inflammation and pain.
6. Ask you to do little exercise daily to prevent stiffness of the affected area. As the pain lowers, you can add other exercises to strengthen the muscles.
7. Tell you to start exercising the joint the next day after the surgery.
8. Instruct you to avoid strenuous activity for four to six weeks.
9. Tell you to take work off for two to four weeks (depending on the surgery).
10. Suggest an elastic compression band to prevent bleeding and swelling.

First Follow up Appointment

The first follow up will be after two weeks of the surgery to remove the stitches and check the recovery.