bursar thickening in the shoulder

[nosroblig]

I have a thickness tear of the Supraspinatus tendon with vertical thickness. I’m waiting to see the orthopaedic surgeon. I have bursitis in both hips and although I am increased steroids now 15 mg to get inflammation down, it comes back when I taper. Has anybody ever had surgery for bursitis in the shoulder?. I know it’s the last resort, but if the hips anything to go by this will never go. Please let me know if you have.

[Pixix]

I’m following your post & comments with interest! I had 3 ultrasounds this week, and my shoulder & foot both have tendon tears as well as other issues. I’m on crutches after a bad fall right now (knee injury) and it’s making my shoulder worse.

I also have bursitis in left hip & sciatica on right side.

But you ask if anybody has had surgery for bursitis in their shoulder (not surgery for tendon tears)…but you have bursitis in hips & tendon tear in shoulder, I think? Sorry, I’m not well, I’m confused, so will just leave it here, & look back later!!

[nosroblig in reply to Pixix]

Sorry I was asking if anyone has had a bursar anywhere surgically removed

[Pixix in reply to nosroblig]

Thanks, I’ve never heard of anybody having a bursa removed. I have steroid injections into mine about 3 times a year, but never considered removal. Tbh, currently more interested 8n tendinopathy & tears!! I find the injections help the bursitis a lot ( ut for varying lengths of time)!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

It is usually the last line when all other more conservative approaches have failed. It is called bursectomy and a new bursa may form in its place but not necessarily.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I read up bursectomy afterwards. Although I find it pretty painful, it’s only the winter months that are really bad for me, & I’m happy to have the steroid injections. I’m hoping to try the shockwave therapy, too, that sounds good. But I’ve been on crutches for 3 weeks since a bad fall. Shoulder has large piece of calcification, tendon tear, tendinopathy, foot has the same, strangely enough! Knee has nothing broken, & hope to find out what’s damaged on Wednesday, when it will be four weeks since injury. Lots of triage by telephone again, & just one nurse feeling that the kneecap is in right place & not broken. These things have taken over from the rest as top priority atm!! Hope the planning permission is moving forward. Went out in the car for an ice cream break yesterday, thought of you! S x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are very much better ways of dealing with joint bursitis than oral pred - you need a lot over a long time before it really makes a difference - early in PMR I had bad hip bursitis and once I was on pred it slowly improved over about 4 months or so.

I have had extracorporeal shockwave therapy - not bad if you can access it, physio exercises that need to go with any other treatment and localised steroid injections (best for me but I have an amazing rheumy). And low back problems may signal a wider-based problem that must be considered all in one.

[nosroblig in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you