Ankle Bursitis Treatment

Ankle bursitis is pain and inflammation of the bursa found near the ankle joints. The bursa is a small sac of fluid that acts as s hock absorber between the bone and tendon. The bursa is usually filled with a small amount of fluid, and when injured it fills with more fluid causing swelling. Most cases of ankle bursitis involve the bursa near the Achilles tendon.

Symptoms

• Symptoms that indicate ankle bursitis are heel pain, ankle pain, swelling, limping, tenderness around the Achilles tendon, redness and warmth.

Causes

• Ankle bursitis is caused by injury, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and overuse.

Treatment

• Ankle bursitis is usually treated with cold or hot compresses, splinting, crutches, rest, non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids.

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy is another form of treatment for ankle bursitis. Physical therapists use ultrasound and massage to help ankle bursitis heal faster. Once the ankle bursitis has healed exercises to strengthen the Achilles tendon can be done.

Surgery

• In severe cases or when other treatments fail, surgery may be performed to remove the bursa or parts of the bone from the heel.