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Bursitis
BURSITIS* LOUIS
KAPLAN,
M.D. AND L. KRAEER FERGUSON, M.D.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA definite anIage composed of Iarge moderateIy
UCH has been written concerning the diseases of bursa, but little was known about their development until recent studies of these structures. These studies have fairly definitely pointed out that bursa are potential spaces developed in connective tissues. They contain a synovial-like ffuid which permits movement of one tissue over another with a minimum of friction. It has been shown very delinitely that bursa are developmental in origin and that they appear in the connective tissue in response to a functional demand. In 1934, Black1 examined a large number of fetuses and showed that only the subacromial bursa was present at birth and this he was able to identify as such in 72.5 per cent of the specimens. Neither the commonly found subcutaneous olecranon nor the prepatellar bursa was present at birth. Therefore, one is forced to the conclusion that they develop after birth in response to movement. One could conceive this development as prolongation and fusion of the intercellular spaces in the plane of motion, the bursal space itself representing an intercellular space between layers of connective tissue cells, with the bursal Auid as liquid intercellular matrix. Cells of bursa and tendon sheaths do not differ in any marked degree from those of joint synovial membrane, and a joint cavity, according to recent studies of the cell structure, appears to be a local modification of a specialized connective tissue, the synovia, in which the intercellular matrix is very ffuid.2 In the formation of the subacromial bursa as followed in fetuses, Black’ states that
M
connective
closely
packed cells which are arranged more or less paraIIe1 to the Iong axis of the future bursa. SIits appear between the ceIIs and merge or remain adjacent. These sIits extend throughout the bursa1 anIage, but stop at the border of the undifferentiated connective tissue. The early sIits deveIop into a definite cavity Iined by swoIIen characteristic ceIIs. When the cavity attains a certain size, the Iining cells disappear, and the cavity comes to have a but speciaIIy arranged, Iining of ordinary, fibr0bIast.s and other connective tissue elements. Trabecula seen in otherwise normal bursa may then be regarded as simply intervening septums or folds between bursal slits in the same plane, which have not undergone fusion, and not necessarily as pathological adhesions between apposed surfaces. For convenience in study, bursa may be divided into two groups, the superficial and the deep. Superficial bursa are those which lie in the connective tissue between the skin and bony prominences. Those
which most often are found to produce symptoms are the olecranon, prepatellar, and the bursa over the head of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe. The deep bursa are those which Iie between muscle and moving bony points. The most important of these is the subacromial or less often the bursa subdeltoid bursa; over the greater trochanter of the femur or over the tuberosity of the ischium may give symptoms. DISEASES
of a fairIy circumscribed certain changes to form a faidy
* From the SurgicaI Out-Patient
Department
THE
SUPERFICIAL
BURSA
Superficial bursa, those which develop in response to long continued or repeated friction between the skin and bony parts, may assume definite pathological changes due to trauma or infection.
tissue
area undergoes
OF
of the HospitaI of the University 434
of Pennsylvania.
456
American
Journal
of Surgery
KapIan,
Ferguson-Bursitis
Acute Traumatic Bursitis. Ordinarily, appIication of external vioIence over a superficia1 bursa, for exampIe the oIecranon
FIG. I. Acute
traumatic
oIecranon
bursitis.
bursa, resuIts in sIiding of the skin over the triceps tendon and oIecranon process. If, however, the vioIence is such that contusion or tearing of the bursa1 surface occurs, hemorrhage and exudation take pIace. The bursa, previousIy onIy a potentia1 space, fiIIs with serosanguineous fIuid and becomes a paIpabIe, we11 defined, Auctuant sac over the point of the eIbow (Fig. I). From a distended bursa a characteristic viscid bIoody or, Iater, straw coIored ffuid may be aspirated. The Auid tends to be absorbed when the acute reaction subsides, but varying amounts of ceIIuIar eIements and fibrin remain and undergo organization. This results in thickening and roughening of the bursa1 waI1, and perhaps adhesions between apposed bursa1 surfaces. After a singIe trauma the residual thickening may be so sIight as to cause no paIpabIe return of ffuid into changes. Persistent the bursa1 space foIIowing an acute bursitis probabIy is due to friction between the apposed roughened surfaces on return to motion.
The symptoms of acute traumatic bursitis are easiIy recognized. There is a history of a trauma appIied to the affected bursa with subsequent appearance of tenderness and distention of the bursa1 sac. It is somewhat important in making the diagnosis to ascertain whether the Iesion is an acute traumatic bursitis superimposed upon a chronic process, or whether the trauma has been appIied to an otherwise norma bursa. It is important to make this differentia1 diagnosis because of the difference of prognosis and of treatment. An acute traumatic Iesion in a previousIy norma bursa is treated traumatic Iesion. Imlike any acute mobiIization of the part prevents further decreases pain and makes for injury, earIy subsidence of the acute symptoms. The interna right angIe splint for oIecranon, and the posterior knee spIint for prepateIIar bursitis, serve very weI1. A firm elastic compression bandage appIied to the part tends to decrease the sweIIing and aids the immobiIization. In the first twenty-four to thirty-six hours coId appIications heIp to reIieve the pain and perhaps Iessen the exudation. When there is distinct Auctuation in the bursa, aspiration reIieves the tension and shortens the course. The aspiration may be easiIy performed under IocaI infIItration anesthesia through an 18 or 20 gauge needle. After remova of the ffuid, a pressure pad or bandage is appIied over the coIIapsed bursa. As a ruIe, what IittIe residua1 pain is present may be reIieved by miId anaIgesics such as salicylates. After the acute exudative phase subsides, usuaIIy in two or three days, heat may be of value. Hot water bottIes, infrared Iamp, the radiant baker, or hot wet appIications, used for fifteen to thirty minutes three times daiIy, help to shorten the period of recovery. At times, the fluid may recur foIIowing aspiration but in smaIIer amounts which are usuaIIy spontaneousIy absorbed. SpIinting need be continued for onIy three or four days but a pressure bandage of eIastic adhesive (eIas-
NEW SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
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KapIan,
Ferguson-Bursitis
topIast) has been found usefu1 for Ionger periods. Care shouId be taken to protect the area of the bursa against subsequent trauma. CASE
REPORT
CASE I. T. M., aged 21 years, pIayed on a coIIege footbaIl team and injured the right eIbow. Two days Iater the oIecranon bursa was found to be tense and tender, and was espe-
ciaIIy painfu1 when the arm was flexed. Under IocaI anesthesia about 20 C.C. of serosanguineous fluid were removed from the bursa1 sac. A rubber sponge was appIied over a gauze dressing and pressure was maintained by the application of an eIastopIast bandage appIied with the arm flexed at a right angle. The arm was kept in a sIing for three days and a specia1 protective pad was appIied over the eIbow. The boy was aIIowed to pIay in subsequent football games. There was no recurrence of the fluid in the bursa and there has been no evidence of a chronic bursitis in this patient during the five years subsequent to his injury.
Subacute and Chronic Bursitis. When the trauma is reIativeIy miId, but occurs frequently, or when the resorptive phase of an acute bursitis is repeatedIy interrupted by further trauma, fibrous tissue formation becomes the preponderant characteristic. The bursa1 waIIs become much thickened; trabecuIa and viIIi form and increase in number and density, and fil1 the space. These trabecuIa may represent thickening of the septums or foIds commonIy seen in heaIthy bursa, or may be stretched-out adhesions between the bursal waIIs. The viIIi arise as a granuIation in the ffoor of the bursa, a centra1 bIood vesse1 surrounded by fibrous tissue ceIIs. The granuIation tends to grow into the cavity of the bursa, so that eventuaIly there is formed a poIyp-Iike projection consisting of a centra1 vesse1 and surrounded by a staIk of fibrous tissue. The viIIi frequentIy have buIbous tips. SmaII amounts of fluid are aIso present. Thus, that which in the very miId subacute form may be cIinicaIIy evident as a sIight paIpabIe thickening of the bursa, may become in the advanced chronic form a Iarge
American Journal of Surgery
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rubbery mass in the subcutaneous tissues containing numerous hard movabIe bodies. FrequentIy, the causa1 factor in the deveIopment of a chronic thickening of the bursa waI1 is occupationa1, the patient’s work necessitating exposure of the bursa to continued trauma. The occurrence of a chronic bursitis in certain occupations is so common as to, have given characteristic names, such as housemaid’s knee (chronic prepateIIar bursitis), miner’s elbow (chronic oIecranon bu’rsitis), and so forth. The continued trauma of a shoe to the bursa over a projecting first metatarsophaIangea1 joint is another instance of simiIar type. In a few cases, patients with a chronic bursitis compIain of a sharp pain when sIight trauma is appIied over the bursa. Thus patients describe a feeling of the eIbow having been put down on a tack when a hypertrophied viIIus or trabecuIa is traumatized by Ieaning on a hard surface with the elbow. SimiIar pain is experienced when kneeling in the case of chronic preWhen these bursa are pateIIar bursitis. examined, the bursa1 sac may be outIined as a thickened, rubbery area containing smaI1, hard, tender and usuaIIy movabIe bodies. These bodies, which are formed by viIIi springing from the bursa1 ffoor, are often so hard as to be confused with bone. When traumatized they become so tender that pressure causes sharp pain. If the bursa can be protected from trauma over a sufficient period of time (three or four weeks), the chronic induration in the bursa1 waI1 may subside and the acute traumatic inffammation in the viIIi disappear so that the bursa is no Ionger painfu1. When it is impossibIe to protect the bursa from repeated trauma, excision is necessary. By far the Iargest number of patients with chronic bursitis come for treatment folIowing the appIication of some recent acute trauma. In such cases there is reaIIy an acute bursitis superimposed upon a chronic bursitis. The bursa1 sac is distended and ffuctuant, but on paIpation the indurated waIIs of the bursa are easiIy noted and the fibrous trabecuIation and viIIi can
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be roIIed under the fingers. Aspiration of ffuid from such a bursa usuaIIy resuIts ‘in a rapid and aImost compIete refiIIing of the
SEPTEMBER, 1937
there was reaccumulation of fluid in the bursa; this was aspirated. A cure was obtained in 24 of 27 cases.
A
FIG. z.
A,
chronic biIatera1 prepatellar
B
bursitis;
B, same two months after aspiration ing soIution.
bursa in a period of twenty-four to fortyeight hours, and apphcations of heat or pressure have IittIe effect, even though appIied for severa weeks. In the treatment of this type of bursitis two methods of approach are avaiIabIe. In one an effort is made to obIiterate the sac compIeteIy by the injection of some irritating solution into the bursa1 cavity after aspiration of the contained ffuid (Fig. 2). By this method of therapy the sac becomes a firm fibrous scar in the subcutaneous tissue. Various substances have been used for injection. Eisinga suggests sodium morrhuate 5 per cent soIution such as is used for the injection of varicose veins. About 0.75 to 1.0 C.C. may be injected into the space after aspirating the fluid, and a pad, pressure bandage and spIint appIied. When successful, the bursa is obIiterated and with motion a neti bursa probabIy forms. Carp4 had exceIIent resuIts with the injection of 2 to 5 C.C. of 3.5 per cent tincture of iodine. In about haIf of his cases
Carabba5 composition
and injection
of scIeros-
used a soIution of the folIowing :
Phenol.. . . Borax.. _. _. _, _. _. Acid salicyclic. . Glycerin.. Spirits of camphor g.s. ad.
.
.
45 C.C.
I6gm. 16 gm. 120 C.C.
240 C.C.
After injecting 2 to 3 C.C. of 2 per cent novocain soIution into the bursa for anesthesia, he injected I to 3 C.C. of the scIerosing soIution, and then applied a bandage. The bursa was repressure injected at the end of two weeks when necessary. CASE II. Q. E., housewife, aged thirty-two years, came to the chnic July 18, 1934, compIaining of a sweIIing of the right knee of five weeks duration, and sweIIing of the Ieft knee of two weeks duration.
Physical examination. Circumscribed prepatelIar sweIIing of both knees was present, each sweIIing about the size of haIf an orange. The sweIIings were not tense or particuIarIy of biIatera1 tender (Fig. 2A). A diagnosis chronic prepateIIar bursitis was made.
NEW SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
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3
KapIan,
Both bursae were aspirated, IO being removed from the right and
C.C. 20
of ffuid from
C.C.
the left. Both bursa were then injected
FIG. 3. Chronic
Ferguson-Bursitis
with
American Journal of Surgery
459
remove the sac in bIock by combined bIunt and sharp dissection. It wiI1 be found that the ffoor of the bursa is attached
oIecranon bursitis. Note position of the patient on the tabIe and the site of incision. The opened bursa shows numerous vilIi and trabecuta.
0.3 C.C. of phenoI, borax, gIycerin, spirits of camphor soIution. JuIy 20, 1934 the sweIIing was sIightIy reduced in size and sIight pain was stiI1 present. Eight days Iater there was aImost compIete subsidence of the sweIIing on both sides. September 24, 1934, no sweIIing or pain was evident in either knee (Fig. 2~). If injection of scIerosing soIutions faiIs to give reIief, operation must be considered. When the prepateIIar or oIecranon bursa has become very much thickened and protuberant, conservative treatment offers IittIe prospect of reIief, and excision shouId be advised (Fig. 3). LocaI anesthesia by infiItration of the tissues surrounding the bursa with I per cent procaine hydrochIoride is satisfactory if care is taken to inject beneath the bursa so that its dense attachment to the underIying structures is rendered insensitive. The incision shouId be made away from the projecting point of the joint, and Iongitudinal. It is sometimes possibIe to
denseIy to the underIying tendon and periosteum, and sharp dissection is therefore necessary. FrequentIy, the periphery of the bursa is thin, breaks through, and the remova is effected piecemea1. The dead space is cIosed and the wound is sutured IooseIy. A good resuIt depends on obliteration of dead space in the wound. To this end an eIastic pad and firm bandage are appIied over the wound, and the part is splinted. Serosanguineous drainage may be somewhat persistent and need not be interpreted as a resuIt of incompIete excision. The appIication of dressings saturated in 70 per cent aIcoho1 is the most effective method of treating these wounds. It is rareIy necessary to remove sutures for drainage of accumuIated serum. Healing is usuaIIy otherwise uneventfu1. Excision of the bursa aIone in the bursitis accompanying haIIux vaIgus is of IittIe vaIue. The haIIux vaIgus requires correction in order to secure reIief.
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CASE III. C. W., pIumber, aged 42 years, came to the chnic November 20, 1936, compIaining of a swehing over the point of the Ieft eIbow, which had been graduaIIy increasing for six months. He constantIy bumped his eIbow at work. There was no pain except for an occasiona sticking sensation when the sweIIing was bumped. Physical Examination. There was a swelling over the Ieft oIecranon process, about the size of a large walnut, sharply circumscribed and giving a sensation of ffuctuation through a thick walI. There were severa hard nodules paIpabIe within the bursal sac. The diagnosis made was a chronic oIecranon bursitis. Excision of the bursa was performed under IocaI anesthesia, and a pressure pad, an interna right angIe splint and a sIing were appIied. Because of redness of the wound on the third postoperative day, dressings saturated in aIcoho1 were apphed. Two days Iater four sutures were removed and t.he spIint discarded. On the seventh day the remaining four sutures were removed; the wound was cIean and the patient was discharged.
Suppurative Bursitis. Suppurative bursitis may foIIow a Iaceration or puncture of the skin overIying the bursa, or it may be the resuIt of extension from a contiguous infection. FuruncIes over the pateIIa frequentIy extend to invoIve the prepateIIar bursa. Seen earIy, these cases are best treated conservativeIy. Splinting reduces pain and rest and hot wet minimizes tension, dressings are used and no operation is performed unti1 the inffammatory process becomes we11 IocaIized. Incision and drainage should be performed under genera1 anesthesia, the bursa and its pockets being Iaid wide open and packed to maintain good mechanica drainage. Splinting, hot wet dressings and rest are continued unti1 compIete subsidence of the infection. UnIess there is obvious reason to suspect a comphcation because of persistent pain or fever, the dressings can be Ieft undisturbed for four to five days; then the packing shouId be removed and simpIe dressings apphed. Antiseptics are not introduced into the infected wound.
Drainage, particuIarIy when the bursa has previousIy been thickened and contains numerous trabecuIa, may continue over a proIonged period, but the wounds usuaIIy cIose without specia1 treatment. No attempt shouId be made to excise an acuteIy inflamed bursa. CASE IV. C. B., aged 30 years, a truck driver, came in July 16, 1934, compIaining of fever and pain and sweIIing over the Ieft eIbow. He gave a history of having bumped his Ieft eIbow against an iron projection on his truck two days before. His temperature was Physical Examination. 99.4 and the puIse rate 80. There was sweIIing of the olecranon bursa with pus oozing from a smaI1 perforation over the tip of the oIecranon. CeIIuIitis, extending to the middIe of the forearm beIow and the middIe of the arm above, and axiIIary Iymphadenitis were present. Dressings, spIint and sling were apphed and the patient instructed to keep the arm elevated and soak the elbow in hot magnesium suIphate soIution every two hours. The folIowing day the ceIIuIitis was found to be extending and the axiIIary adenitis increasing. His temperature was 100.6 and the pulse rate 84. Pus was stiI1 exuding from the opening over the oIecranon. Under nitrous oxide anesthesia, the bursa1 space was Iaid wide open; spIinting and soaks were continued. On JuIy 18 the wound was cIean and granulating and the wound edges were approximated with adhesive. After aImost four weeks of persistent serous drainage the wound hnaIIy closed and the patient was discharged, with motion at the elbow free and painless. In September, 1936, foIIow-up, about two years after his injury, the patient had no symptoms or compIaints. The skin was freely movable over the eIbow. SUMMARY SuperficiaI bursae are spaces developed in subcutaneous connective tissue as the resuIt of frequent movement. When acutety
traumatized
they
respond
by forming
an
effusion and may be treated like any traumatic Iesion. Repeated trauma causes induration of the bursaI waI1 with formation of viIIi and constant effusion. A few
NEW SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
KapIan,
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Ferguson-Bursitis
cases may be reIieved by conservative treatment or by injection of scIerosing soIutions. Excision of the bursa must be performed in the majority of cases. Suppurative bursitis is treated by incision and drainage. DISEASES
OF
THE
DEEP
BURSA
The deep bursa are those which Iie between muscIe and moving bony projections. Those most commonIy found to give symptoms are the foIIowing: I. Subacromial, between the coracoacromiai arch and the deItoid muscIe above, and the short rotators of the humerus and the greater tuberosity beiow; 2. SubgIuteaI, between the femora1 greater trochanter and the gIuteus maximus muscIe; 3. Iliopsoas, between the capsuIe of the hip joint and the iIiopsoas muscIe; 4. Supratrochanteric, in the muscIe pIanes above the greater trochanter; 4. Semimembranosus, between the tendon of the semimembranosus muscIe and the inner head of the gastrocnemius; 6. PretibiaI, between the quadriceps tendon and the tubercIe of the tibia. Numerous other deep bursa exist in areas where muscIes overIie moving bony points but so rareIy cause symptoms as to be worth no specific mention. WhiIe the deep bursa are numerous, by far the most frequentIy involved is the subacromia1 bursa. Because the Iesions produced in this bursa are more or Iess typica of those invoIving deep bursa eIsewhere in the body, and because of the importance of the symptoms produced, we have chosen to describe the diseases of the subacromia1 bursa somewhat in detai1. Acute Traumatic Subacromial Bursitis. Whenever a thrust is taken by the hand or forearm, the force is transmitted to the area of the subacromia1 bursa and the coraco-acromia1 arch prevents upward dislocation of the head of the humerus, so that every faI1 on the hand or forearm may cause contusion of the bursa1 surfaces with sIight or even severe bursitis. Injury to
American
Journal
of Surgery
461
the bursa occurs aIso in a11 disIocations at the shoulder and in fractures of the upper humerus. This fact is often overIooked in deaIing with the more evident bony lesions, but it is probabIy a factor in the disabiIity produced by these injuries. In young individuaIs, the bursitis resuIts in little or no fina disabiIity; but in the eIderIy, the bursa1 Iesion, if negIected, may cause persistent troubIe. Acute traumatic bursitis with severe pain may foIIow a faI1 in which the point of the shouIder impinges forcibIy on a hard object, or it may be secondary to a tear of the supraspinatus tendon or fracture of the greater tuberosity, both of which underlie the ffoor of the bursa. The patient compIains of severe shouIder pain and decIines to move the arm, which is heId rigidIy at the side. Even passive motion causes severe pain. The arm may be passiveIy eIevated through 30” to 60” but cIose inspection reveals this motion to occur by rotation of the scapuIa on the chest rather than at the scapuIohumera1 joint. Reflex muscIe rigidity in acute bursitis may be so great that abduction is simulating compIete aImost impossibIe, tear of the supraspinatus tendon. PaIpabIe sweIIing and fluctuation may be present, but aIways there is acute wincing tenderness just beIow and anterior to the acromion. The pathologica process is essentially identical with that foIlowing acute trauma to a superficia1 bursa, except that adhesions resuIt in pain and Iimitation of motion. FoIIowing externa1 vioIence, acute subacromia1 bursitis is treated, in principle, Iike any acute traumatic Iesion. ImmobiIization shouId be in at Ieast partia1 abduction so as to relieve the tension of the shouIder muscIes, and so that any adhesions which form wiI1 be separated or stretched when the arm is Iater Iowered. A thick axilfary pad, with sIing and swath, or an abduction spIint, may be used for ambuIatory treatment, or the patient may be put to bed with the forearm slung to
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American Journal of Surgery
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the head of the bed to maintain abduction. In the first twenty-four or thirty-six hours, ice bags wiII heIp to reIieve the pain and perhaps Iimit the sweIIing. Much relief of pain foIIows the use of even a miId anaIgesic, such as a capsuIe containing acetyIsaIicycIic acid grains 7 and phenobarbita1 grain $3. After forty-eight to seventy-two hours, heat (hot water bottIe, infra-red Iamp or radiant baker) and gentIe stroking massage heIp to shorten the course of the process. In order to prevent adhesions and Iimitation of motion, gentIe passive abduction shouId be begun as soon as the most acute phase subsides, which is usuaIIy in three or four days, preferabIy by having the patient stoop with the arm swinging at the side. UnIess there has been some tearing of the short rotator tendons, recovery wiI1 take pIace in about two weeks. CASE v. C. M., aged fifty years, housewife, came in December IO, 1936, compIaining of severe pain in the Ieft shoulder. Two days before she attempted to strike a smaI1 boy, swinging her arm downward. She missed her object. There was immediate sIight pain in the shouIder which became extremeIy severe four hours Iater. She did not sIeep for two nights. The pain was constant and sharp, radiating from the shouIder down to the insertion of the deltoid, and became agonizing on attempting movement. Physical Examination. There was sIight swelling in the region of the shouIder with exquisite tenderness over the greater tuberosity in an area about I cm. in diameter. The patient resisted any attempt at motion. VoIuntary abduction came to about IO degrees at the Total abduction was scapuIohumera1 joint. about 45 degrees. X-ray examination of the shouIder reveaIed no evidence of fracture. A diagnosis of acute traumatic subacromia1 bursitis was made. A sedative was prescribed and the arm put in an abduction spIint. External heat was advised. The patient had much Iess pain and her range of motion increased within two days. In another two weeks she had fuI1 range of motion and no pain,
Acute Subacromial Bursitis Due to Calcification. One other form of acute subacromia1 bursitis is common. FoIIowing an insignificant trauma, or without obvious cause, the patient begins to have pain in the shouIder. The pain grows worse rapidIy and in a few days may be agonizing. The Iimitation of motion, muscuIar rigidity, tenderness and at times sweIIing cIearIy indicate acute bursitis. The cause of the pain is tension in an area of caIcification in the short rotator tendons, usuaIIy the supraspinatus. Any movement of the arm, especiaIIy in abduction, tends to produce an increase of tension and therefore an increase of pain. CharacteristicaIIy in these acute cases the caIcified mass is reIativeIy Iarge and it appears in the x-ray fiIm to be we11 over the greater tuberosity rather than in the tendon immediateIy above the humerus. FrequentIy, the humerus must be rotated into two or more different positions to demonstrate the mass (Fig. 4). The agonizing pain of acute bursitis with calcification demands immediate relief. Experience has shown that prompt reIief may be obtained by reIieving the tension in the caIcified area. This may be accompIished in two ways. I. The first method is that of exposing the bursa under IocaI anesthesia through an incision over the greater tuberosity, according to Codman. After separation of the fibers of the deItoid muscIe, the roof of the bursa is opened and the area of caIcification appears as a white mound surrounded by a ring of injected vesseIs. Incision of this area permits the escape of a mass of toothpasteIike materiaI into the bursa. With this reIief of tension there is an aTmost immediate subsidence of pain. The caIcified materia1 which escapes is removed, but no effort is made to compIeteIy evacuate the area of caIcification. The wound is cIosed with interrupted sutures. The arm is immobiIized with an axiIIary pad and sIing. If appropriate sedative drugs are suppIied for the first twenty-four hours, the patient experiences
NE.w SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
No.
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Ferguson-Bursitis
Iit ;tIe diffkuky and the whoIe procedure m ay be carried out without hospitalizatican. In about a week, most of the cases
A
American
Journal
cream cheese and apparently
had been unde pressure. This substance was removed as fa r as possibIe and the wound cIosed.
B
FIG. 4. A and B, calcification in the floor of the subacromia1 bursa. Note how IittIe of the catcified is visibIe in A as compared with B, a view taken after rotating the arm.
have regained pain.
fuI1 range of motion without
CASE VI. M. C., aged 33 years, brickIayer, came in May 24, 1934, compIaining of severe pain in the right shoulder. He first noticed a duI1 ache in the right shouIder two weeks before, which, within a few days, became so severe that he was unabIe to work and couId sIeep onIy very poorIy. He had used various liniments, saIves, hot soaks and “sIeeping tabIets” without rehef. Physical Examination. We11 IocaIized tenderness was present over the area of the subacromia1 bursa. There was pain on abduction, interna and externa1 rotation of the arm. X-ray examination reveaIed a marked degree of calcification in the right subdeItoid bursa. Under IocaI anesthesia, an incision over the shoulder was made at the point of maximum tenderness. The fibers of the deItoid muscle were separated; the bursa was exposed and incised. On incising the caIcified area in the Boor of the bursa, a white semisoIid substance welIed out. It had the consistency of thin
46 3
of Surgery
deposit
The foIIowing day there was considerabIe reIief of pain. On the sixth postoperative day there was no pain, the sutures were removed and the patient was discharged. In April, 1935 on follow-up, the patient had no disability in the shouIder and had been perfectIy we11 since operation.
of treatment for 2. A second method this condition is by aspiration of the calcified material and irrigation of the area, as suggested by Smith-Peterson. Under IocaI anesthesia a needIe, about 14 gauge, is inserted into the area of caIcifkation and IO to 20 C.C.of a I per cent procaine hydrochIoride soIution is injected. Attempts at aspiration of the calcified materia1 are then made. If nothing can be aspirated a second needIe is often inserted above the first so as to reach the caIcified area at another angIe. It is then frequentIy possibIe to irrigate this area with saIine soIution. The caIc&ed materia1 becomes suspended in the solution and drains out
464
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Journal
of Surgery
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Ferguson-Bursitis
through the larger needle. In reheving tension in the caI&ed area by this method, good results are obtained only if the needle actuaIIy punctures the caMed deposit. ConsiderabIe discomfort is experienced for twenty-four hours after this treatment and adequate sedatives should therefore be given. After this period the pain and disabiIity rapidIy subside so that compIete function may usuaIIy be resumed in three or four days. CASE VII. J. S., aged 33 years, a nurse, came to the cIinic December 4, 1936, complaining of agonizing pain in the Ieft shouIder of seven days duration. She had been unable to sIeep for two nights and couId not move her arm without extreme pain. An x-ray pIate
showed an area of caMcation over the greater tuberosity (Fig. 4). A diagnosis of an acute subacromial bursitis with caIcific&tion was made. Two needIes were inserted into the calcified area under IocaI anesthesia and considerabIe caIcified materia1 was removed by aspiration and irrigation. Within a week there was compIete relief of pain and a fuI1 range of motion. Subacute and Chronic Subacromial Bursitis. When there is thickening and roughening of the bursa1 surfaces so that the head of the humerus does not gIide smoothIy under the acromion, there is produced the cIinica1 picture of a subacute or chronic subacromia1 bursitis. These changes in the bursa may be simpIy posttraumatic, foIIowing an injury to the bursa and immobiIization of the arm at the side. FrequentIy, the cause may be sIight caIcification of the short rotator tendons, with roughening of the floor of the bursa; Iess commonIy, the irritant may be hypertrophy of the greater tuberosity resuIting in friction when the tuberosity sIips beneath the acromion in the process of eIevation of the arm. CIinicaIIy, whatever the cause, the condition presents much the same picture. Pain in the shouIder comes on, increases sIowIy, and is commonIy worse at night.
SEPTEMBER, 1937
In some patients the chief compIaint is of pain at some point in the abduction arc; in others the abiIity to eIevate the arm becomes Iess. There is Iimitation of scapuIohumera1 motion, and, in advanced cases, abduction takes pIace mainly by rotation of the scapuIa on the chest. Limitation of interna and externa1 rotaCrepitation is often tion are frequent. paIpabIe with shouIder motion. When the condition has persisted for any Iength of time, atrophy of the deItoid and supraspinatus muscles may be seen. Tenderness over the greater tuberosity is present. A history of trauma in these cases is unreliabIe, and x-ray examination may show caIc&cation or changes in the greater tuberosity. The first objective in these cases is to restore motion and thereby to reIieve pain. The pain may be obstinateIy persistent, but will cIear up if good motion is restored and maintained by exercises. Open operation, except when the greater tuberosity shows marked hypertrophy, has given disappointing resuIts. Under IocaI anesthesia, such as infiItration of the bursa with 20 to 30 cc. of I per cent procaine hydrochIoride, or under genera1 anesthesia, manipulation with gentIe but firm motion of the shoulder through its fuI1 range gives immediateIy greater function and, in a few days, less pain. Stooping exercises of the shoulder to the limit of pain must be carried out three or four times daiIy. The appIication of heat, three times daiIy, folIowed by a miId counterirritant, such as chIoroform Iiniment or methy saIicyIate, in gentIy massaging the shouIder, gives a considerabIe measure of comfort. The anaIgesic capsuIe mentioned above aIso heIps. The patient shouId be apprised of the stubborn character of the Iesion, with nevertheIess an exceIIent prognosis. CASE VIII. N. T., aged 52 years, Iaborer, came to the clinic November 12, 1934, compIaining of pain in the right shouIder. This
began eight months before when he feII on his
New SERIES VOL.XXXVII, No. 3
KapIan,
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extended arm. The pain was dull in character and gradually became worse. X-ray examination showed “in the proximal end of the diaphysis of the humerus an area of diminished density circumscribed by a zone of increased density, the identity of which is uncertain. It may represent an inflammatory process.” Physical Examination. There was weakness of the muscles of the right shoulder. He was unable to lift the arm beyond go degree abduction. Palpable crepitation was present over the area of the subacromia1 bursa on rotation or abduction of the arm. A diagnosis of chronic subacromial bursitis was made. Under local anesthesia an incision 3 inches long was made over the anterior aspect of the head of the humerus and the fibers of the deltoid muscle were separated down to the bursa. The bursal wall was then incised and many hypertrophied villi were exposed and removed. Two sharp projections from the lesser tuberosity were trimmed off. The deltoid muscle was sutured with catgut and the wound closed with silk. Immediately after operation the patient could easily bring the arm into full abduction. Three days later motion was improved, pain was very slight and only occasional Exercises were started two days previously. The sutures were removed on the fifth day and the wound was clean. On the sixteenth postoperative day there was almost complete range of motion without pain and the patient was discharged. CASE IX. H. S., aged 65 years, a grocer, came in November 7, 1936, complaining of pain in the right shoulder which began six weeks before, when he fell, striking the shoulder. Physical Examination. There was marked Iimitation of abduction, moderate limitation of interna and externaI rotation and tenderness over the anterior surface of the head of the humerus. A diagnosis of chronic subacromial bursitis, post-traumatic, was made. X-ray examination showed a suggestion of some decalcification of the greater tuberosity. After injection of 30 C.C. procaine hydrochIoride I per cent solution into the bursa, the arm was manipmated to obtain fuI1 range of motion at the shoulder. Stooping exercises were prescribed. An acute exacerbation occurred after the manipulation, but subsided.
American Journd of Surgery
46s
Five days later almost full range of motion was present and the pain was considerably less. External heat and exercises were prescribed. November 20, the patient had full range of motion but stiI1 had pain. December 26, 1936, the patient still had slight pain, but much less than before, and there was a full range of motion.
of the other deep bursa are uncommon. The bursa above the greater trochanter of the femur occasionaIIy undergo caMcation and give symptoms simuIating hip-joint disease.? The pretibia1 bursa, located beneath the lower end of the pateIIa and behind the attachment of the quadriceps tendon, aIs 0ccasionaIIy gives symptoms. Excision of these bursa appears to be the most satisfactory treatment. Inflammatory
Iesions
SUMMARY
Bursa are potentia1 spaces which deveIop in connective tissue in response to movement or friction. SuperficiaI bursa deveIop in the subcutaneous fatty tissue between the skin and bony points; the diseases pecuIiar to this type have been discussed and their treatment outIined. The deep bursa Iie between moving bony points and overIying muscIes. Of these the subacromia1 bursa gives symptoms most frequentIy, and a discussion of its diseases has been given as typical of those of a11 deep bursa. REFERENCES I. BLACK, B. MARDEN. Development of human synovia1 hursae. Amt. Record, 60: 333, 1934. 2. KING, E. S. J. Golgi apparatus of synovial cells. Jour. Path. and Bacterial., 4~: I 17, 1933. 3. EISING, E. H. Olecranon and prepatellar bursitis. Med. Record, 140: 539, ,934. 4. CARP, LOUIS. The conservative treatment of prepatellar bursitis. Surg., Gynec. and Oh., $2: 87,
1931. 5. CARABBA,VICTOR. Sclerosing injections
in surgery.
Ann. Surg., gg: 668, 1934. 6. CODMAN.
E. A. The ShouIder. Boston, Thomas Todd Co., 1934. 7. GOLDENBERG,R. N. and LEVENTHAL, G. S. Supratrochanteric caIcifmation. Jour. Bone and Joint Surg., 18: 205 (Jan.) 1936.
KAPLAN,
M.D. AND L. KRAEER FERGUSON, M.D.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA definite anIage composed of Iarge moderateIy
UCH has been written concerning the diseases of bursa, but little was known about their development until recent studies of these structures. These studies have fairly definitely pointed out that bursa are potential spaces developed in connective tissues. They contain a synovial-like ffuid which permits movement of one tissue over another with a minimum of friction. It has been shown very delinitely that bursa are developmental in origin and that they appear in the connective tissue in response to a functional demand. In 1934, Black1 examined a large number of fetuses and showed that only the subacromial bursa was present at birth and this he was able to identify as such in 72.5 per cent of the specimens. Neither the commonly found subcutaneous olecranon nor the prepatellar bursa was present at birth. Therefore, one is forced to the conclusion that they develop after birth in response to movement. One could conceive this development as prolongation and fusion of the intercellular spaces in the plane of motion, the bursal space itself representing an intercellular space between layers of connective tissue cells, with the bursal Auid as liquid intercellular matrix. Cells of bursa and tendon sheaths do not differ in any marked degree from those of joint synovial membrane, and a joint cavity, according to recent studies of the cell structure, appears to be a local modification of a specialized connective tissue, the synovia, in which the intercellular matrix is very ffuid.2 In the formation of the subacromial bursa as followed in fetuses, Black’ states that
M
connective
closely
packed cells which are arranged more or less paraIIe1 to the Iong axis of the future bursa. SIits appear between the ceIIs and merge or remain adjacent. These sIits extend throughout the bursa1 anIage, but stop at the border of the undifferentiated connective tissue. The early sIits deveIop into a definite cavity Iined by swoIIen characteristic ceIIs. When the cavity attains a certain size, the Iining cells disappear, and the cavity comes to have a but speciaIIy arranged, Iining of ordinary, fibr0bIast.s and other connective tissue elements. Trabecula seen in otherwise normal bursa may then be regarded as simply intervening septums or folds between bursal slits in the same plane, which have not undergone fusion, and not necessarily as pathological adhesions between apposed surfaces. For convenience in study, bursa may be divided into two groups, the superficial and the deep. Superficial bursa are those which lie in the connective tissue between the skin and bony prominences. Those
which most often are found to produce symptoms are the olecranon, prepatellar, and the bursa over the head of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe. The deep bursa are those which Iie between muscle and moving bony points. The most important of these is the subacromial or less often the bursa subdeltoid bursa; over the greater trochanter of the femur or over the tuberosity of the ischium may give symptoms. DISEASES
of a fairIy circumscribed certain changes to form a faidy
* From the SurgicaI Out-Patient
Department
THE
SUPERFICIAL
BURSA
Superficial bursa, those which develop in response to long continued or repeated friction between the skin and bony parts, may assume definite pathological changes due to trauma or infection.
tissue
area undergoes
OF
of the HospitaI of the University 434
of Pennsylvania.
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American
Journal
of Surgery
KapIan,
Ferguson-Bursitis
Acute Traumatic Bursitis. Ordinarily, appIication of external vioIence over a superficia1 bursa, for exampIe the oIecranon
FIG. I. Acute
traumatic
oIecranon
bursitis.
bursa, resuIts in sIiding of the skin over the triceps tendon and oIecranon process. If, however, the vioIence is such that contusion or tearing of the bursa1 surface occurs, hemorrhage and exudation take pIace. The bursa, previousIy onIy a potentia1 space, fiIIs with serosanguineous fIuid and becomes a paIpabIe, we11 defined, Auctuant sac over the point of the eIbow (Fig. I). From a distended bursa a characteristic viscid bIoody or, Iater, straw coIored ffuid may be aspirated. The Auid tends to be absorbed when the acute reaction subsides, but varying amounts of ceIIuIar eIements and fibrin remain and undergo organization. This results in thickening and roughening of the bursa1 waI1, and perhaps adhesions between apposed bursa1 surfaces. After a singIe trauma the residual thickening may be so sIight as to cause no paIpabIe return of ffuid into changes. Persistent the bursa1 space foIIowing an acute bursitis probabIy is due to friction between the apposed roughened surfaces on return to motion.
The symptoms of acute traumatic bursitis are easiIy recognized. There is a history of a trauma appIied to the affected bursa with subsequent appearance of tenderness and distention of the bursa1 sac. It is somewhat important in making the diagnosis to ascertain whether the Iesion is an acute traumatic bursitis superimposed upon a chronic process, or whether the trauma has been appIied to an otherwise norma bursa. It is important to make this differentia1 diagnosis because of the difference of prognosis and of treatment. An acute traumatic Iesion in a previousIy norma bursa is treated traumatic Iesion. Imlike any acute mobiIization of the part prevents further decreases pain and makes for injury, earIy subsidence of the acute symptoms. The interna right angIe splint for oIecranon, and the posterior knee spIint for prepateIIar bursitis, serve very weI1. A firm elastic compression bandage appIied to the part tends to decrease the sweIIing and aids the immobiIization. In the first twenty-four to thirty-six hours coId appIications heIp to reIieve the pain and perhaps Iessen the exudation. When there is distinct Auctuation in the bursa, aspiration reIieves the tension and shortens the course. The aspiration may be easiIy performed under IocaI infIItration anesthesia through an 18 or 20 gauge needle. After remova of the ffuid, a pressure pad or bandage is appIied over the coIIapsed bursa. As a ruIe, what IittIe residua1 pain is present may be reIieved by miId anaIgesics such as salicylates. After the acute exudative phase subsides, usuaIIy in two or three days, heat may be of value. Hot water bottIes, infrared Iamp, the radiant baker, or hot wet appIications, used for fifteen to thirty minutes three times daiIy, help to shorten the period of recovery. At times, the fluid may recur foIIowing aspiration but in smaIIer amounts which are usuaIIy spontaneousIy absorbed. SpIinting need be continued for onIy three or four days but a pressure bandage of eIastic adhesive (eIas-
NEW SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
No. 3
KapIan,
Ferguson-Bursitis
topIast) has been found usefu1 for Ionger periods. Care shouId be taken to protect the area of the bursa against subsequent trauma. CASE
REPORT
CASE I. T. M., aged 21 years, pIayed on a coIIege footbaIl team and injured the right eIbow. Two days Iater the oIecranon bursa was found to be tense and tender, and was espe-
ciaIIy painfu1 when the arm was flexed. Under IocaI anesthesia about 20 C.C. of serosanguineous fluid were removed from the bursa1 sac. A rubber sponge was appIied over a gauze dressing and pressure was maintained by the application of an eIastopIast bandage appIied with the arm flexed at a right angle. The arm was kept in a sIing for three days and a specia1 protective pad was appIied over the eIbow. The boy was aIIowed to pIay in subsequent football games. There was no recurrence of the fluid in the bursa and there has been no evidence of a chronic bursitis in this patient during the five years subsequent to his injury.
Subacute and Chronic Bursitis. When the trauma is reIativeIy miId, but occurs frequently, or when the resorptive phase of an acute bursitis is repeatedIy interrupted by further trauma, fibrous tissue formation becomes the preponderant characteristic. The bursa1 waIIs become much thickened; trabecuIa and viIIi form and increase in number and density, and fil1 the space. These trabecuIa may represent thickening of the septums or foIds commonIy seen in heaIthy bursa, or may be stretched-out adhesions between the bursal waIIs. The viIIi arise as a granuIation in the ffoor of the bursa, a centra1 bIood vesse1 surrounded by fibrous tissue ceIIs. The granuIation tends to grow into the cavity of the bursa, so that eventuaIly there is formed a poIyp-Iike projection consisting of a centra1 vesse1 and surrounded by a staIk of fibrous tissue. The viIIi frequentIy have buIbous tips. SmaII amounts of fluid are aIso present. Thus, that which in the very miId subacute form may be cIinicaIIy evident as a sIight paIpabIe thickening of the bursa, may become in the advanced chronic form a Iarge
American Journal of Surgery
457
rubbery mass in the subcutaneous tissues containing numerous hard movabIe bodies. FrequentIy, the causa1 factor in the deveIopment of a chronic thickening of the bursa waI1 is occupationa1, the patient’s work necessitating exposure of the bursa to continued trauma. The occurrence of a chronic bursitis in certain occupations is so common as to, have given characteristic names, such as housemaid’s knee (chronic prepateIIar bursitis), miner’s elbow (chronic oIecranon bu’rsitis), and so forth. The continued trauma of a shoe to the bursa over a projecting first metatarsophaIangea1 joint is another instance of simiIar type. In a few cases, patients with a chronic bursitis compIain of a sharp pain when sIight trauma is appIied over the bursa. Thus patients describe a feeling of the eIbow having been put down on a tack when a hypertrophied viIIus or trabecuIa is traumatized by Ieaning on a hard surface with the elbow. SimiIar pain is experienced when kneeling in the case of chronic preWhen these bursa are pateIIar bursitis. examined, the bursa1 sac may be outIined as a thickened, rubbery area containing smaI1, hard, tender and usuaIIy movabIe bodies. These bodies, which are formed by viIIi springing from the bursa1 ffoor, are often so hard as to be confused with bone. When traumatized they become so tender that pressure causes sharp pain. If the bursa can be protected from trauma over a sufficient period of time (three or four weeks), the chronic induration in the bursa1 waI1 may subside and the acute traumatic inffammation in the viIIi disappear so that the bursa is no Ionger painfu1. When it is impossibIe to protect the bursa from repeated trauma, excision is necessary. By far the Iargest number of patients with chronic bursitis come for treatment folIowing the appIication of some recent acute trauma. In such cases there is reaIIy an acute bursitis superimposed upon a chronic bursitis. The bursa1 sac is distended and ffuctuant, but on paIpation the indurated waIIs of the bursa are easiIy noted and the fibrous trabecuIation and viIIi can
458
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be roIIed under the fingers. Aspiration of ffuid from such a bursa usuaIIy resuIts ‘in a rapid and aImost compIete refiIIing of the
SEPTEMBER, 1937
there was reaccumulation of fluid in the bursa; this was aspirated. A cure was obtained in 24 of 27 cases.
A
FIG. z.
A,
chronic biIatera1 prepatellar
B
bursitis;
B, same two months after aspiration ing soIution.
bursa in a period of twenty-four to fortyeight hours, and apphcations of heat or pressure have IittIe effect, even though appIied for severa weeks. In the treatment of this type of bursitis two methods of approach are avaiIabIe. In one an effort is made to obIiterate the sac compIeteIy by the injection of some irritating solution into the bursa1 cavity after aspiration of the contained ffuid (Fig. 2). By this method of therapy the sac becomes a firm fibrous scar in the subcutaneous tissue. Various substances have been used for injection. Eisinga suggests sodium morrhuate 5 per cent soIution such as is used for the injection of varicose veins. About 0.75 to 1.0 C.C. may be injected into the space after aspirating the fluid, and a pad, pressure bandage and spIint appIied. When successful, the bursa is obIiterated and with motion a neti bursa probabIy forms. Carp4 had exceIIent resuIts with the injection of 2 to 5 C.C. of 3.5 per cent tincture of iodine. In about haIf of his cases
Carabba5 composition
and injection
of scIeros-
used a soIution of the folIowing :
Phenol.. . . Borax.. _. _. _, _. _. Acid salicyclic. . Glycerin.. Spirits of camphor g.s. ad.
.
.
45 C.C.
I6gm. 16 gm. 120 C.C.
240 C.C.
After injecting 2 to 3 C.C. of 2 per cent novocain soIution into the bursa for anesthesia, he injected I to 3 C.C. of the scIerosing soIution, and then applied a bandage. The bursa was repressure injected at the end of two weeks when necessary. CASE II. Q. E., housewife, aged thirty-two years, came to the chnic July 18, 1934, compIaining of a sweIIing of the right knee of five weeks duration, and sweIIing of the Ieft knee of two weeks duration.
Physical examination. Circumscribed prepatelIar sweIIing of both knees was present, each sweIIing about the size of haIf an orange. The sweIIings were not tense or particuIarIy of biIatera1 tender (Fig. 2A). A diagnosis chronic prepateIIar bursitis was made.
NEW SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
No.
3
KapIan,
Both bursae were aspirated, IO being removed from the right and
C.C. 20
of ffuid from
C.C.
the left. Both bursa were then injected
FIG. 3. Chronic
Ferguson-Bursitis
with
American Journal of Surgery
459
remove the sac in bIock by combined bIunt and sharp dissection. It wiI1 be found that the ffoor of the bursa is attached
oIecranon bursitis. Note position of the patient on the tabIe and the site of incision. The opened bursa shows numerous vilIi and trabecuta.
0.3 C.C. of phenoI, borax, gIycerin, spirits of camphor soIution. JuIy 20, 1934 the sweIIing was sIightIy reduced in size and sIight pain was stiI1 present. Eight days Iater there was aImost compIete subsidence of the sweIIing on both sides. September 24, 1934, no sweIIing or pain was evident in either knee (Fig. 2~). If injection of scIerosing soIutions faiIs to give reIief, operation must be considered. When the prepateIIar or oIecranon bursa has become very much thickened and protuberant, conservative treatment offers IittIe prospect of reIief, and excision shouId be advised (Fig. 3). LocaI anesthesia by infiItration of the tissues surrounding the bursa with I per cent procaine hydrochIoride is satisfactory if care is taken to inject beneath the bursa so that its dense attachment to the underIying structures is rendered insensitive. The incision shouId be made away from the projecting point of the joint, and Iongitudinal. It is sometimes possibIe to
denseIy to the underIying tendon and periosteum, and sharp dissection is therefore necessary. FrequentIy, the periphery of the bursa is thin, breaks through, and the remova is effected piecemea1. The dead space is cIosed and the wound is sutured IooseIy. A good resuIt depends on obliteration of dead space in the wound. To this end an eIastic pad and firm bandage are appIied over the wound, and the part is splinted. Serosanguineous drainage may be somewhat persistent and need not be interpreted as a resuIt of incompIete excision. The appIication of dressings saturated in 70 per cent aIcoho1 is the most effective method of treating these wounds. It is rareIy necessary to remove sutures for drainage of accumuIated serum. Healing is usuaIIy otherwise uneventfu1. Excision of the bursa aIone in the bursitis accompanying haIIux vaIgus is of IittIe vaIue. The haIIux vaIgus requires correction in order to secure reIief.
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CASE III. C. W., pIumber, aged 42 years, came to the chnic November 20, 1936, compIaining of a swehing over the point of the Ieft eIbow, which had been graduaIIy increasing for six months. He constantIy bumped his eIbow at work. There was no pain except for an occasiona sticking sensation when the sweIIing was bumped. Physical Examination. There was a swelling over the Ieft oIecranon process, about the size of a large walnut, sharply circumscribed and giving a sensation of ffuctuation through a thick walI. There were severa hard nodules paIpabIe within the bursal sac. The diagnosis made was a chronic oIecranon bursitis. Excision of the bursa was performed under IocaI anesthesia, and a pressure pad, an interna right angIe splint and a sIing were appIied. Because of redness of the wound on the third postoperative day, dressings saturated in aIcoho1 were apphed. Two days Iater four sutures were removed and t.he spIint discarded. On the seventh day the remaining four sutures were removed; the wound was cIean and the patient was discharged.
Suppurative Bursitis. Suppurative bursitis may foIIow a Iaceration or puncture of the skin overIying the bursa, or it may be the resuIt of extension from a contiguous infection. FuruncIes over the pateIIa frequentIy extend to invoIve the prepateIIar bursa. Seen earIy, these cases are best treated conservativeIy. Splinting reduces pain and rest and hot wet minimizes tension, dressings are used and no operation is performed unti1 the inffammatory process becomes we11 IocaIized. Incision and drainage should be performed under genera1 anesthesia, the bursa and its pockets being Iaid wide open and packed to maintain good mechanica drainage. Splinting, hot wet dressings and rest are continued unti1 compIete subsidence of the infection. UnIess there is obvious reason to suspect a comphcation because of persistent pain or fever, the dressings can be Ieft undisturbed for four to five days; then the packing shouId be removed and simpIe dressings apphed. Antiseptics are not introduced into the infected wound.
Drainage, particuIarIy when the bursa has previousIy been thickened and contains numerous trabecuIa, may continue over a proIonged period, but the wounds usuaIIy cIose without specia1 treatment. No attempt shouId be made to excise an acuteIy inflamed bursa. CASE IV. C. B., aged 30 years, a truck driver, came in July 16, 1934, compIaining of fever and pain and sweIIing over the Ieft eIbow. He gave a history of having bumped his Ieft eIbow against an iron projection on his truck two days before. His temperature was Physical Examination. 99.4 and the puIse rate 80. There was sweIIing of the olecranon bursa with pus oozing from a smaI1 perforation over the tip of the oIecranon. CeIIuIitis, extending to the middIe of the forearm beIow and the middIe of the arm above, and axiIIary Iymphadenitis were present. Dressings, spIint and sling were apphed and the patient instructed to keep the arm elevated and soak the elbow in hot magnesium suIphate soIution every two hours. The folIowing day the ceIIuIitis was found to be extending and the axiIIary adenitis increasing. His temperature was 100.6 and the pulse rate 84. Pus was stiI1 exuding from the opening over the oIecranon. Under nitrous oxide anesthesia, the bursa1 space was Iaid wide open; spIinting and soaks were continued. On JuIy 18 the wound was cIean and granulating and the wound edges were approximated with adhesive. After aImost four weeks of persistent serous drainage the wound hnaIIy closed and the patient was discharged, with motion at the elbow free and painless. In September, 1936, foIIow-up, about two years after his injury, the patient had no symptoms or compIaints. The skin was freely movable over the eIbow. SUMMARY SuperficiaI bursae are spaces developed in subcutaneous connective tissue as the resuIt of frequent movement. When acutety
traumatized
they
respond
by forming
an
effusion and may be treated like any traumatic Iesion. Repeated trauma causes induration of the bursaI waI1 with formation of viIIi and constant effusion. A few
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KapIan,
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Ferguson-Bursitis
cases may be reIieved by conservative treatment or by injection of scIerosing soIutions. Excision of the bursa must be performed in the majority of cases. Suppurative bursitis is treated by incision and drainage. DISEASES
OF
THE
DEEP
BURSA
The deep bursa are those which Iie between muscIe and moving bony projections. Those most commonIy found to give symptoms are the foIIowing: I. Subacromial, between the coracoacromiai arch and the deItoid muscIe above, and the short rotators of the humerus and the greater tuberosity beiow; 2. SubgIuteaI, between the femora1 greater trochanter and the gIuteus maximus muscIe; 3. Iliopsoas, between the capsuIe of the hip joint and the iIiopsoas muscIe; 4. Supratrochanteric, in the muscIe pIanes above the greater trochanter; 4. Semimembranosus, between the tendon of the semimembranosus muscIe and the inner head of the gastrocnemius; 6. PretibiaI, between the quadriceps tendon and the tubercIe of the tibia. Numerous other deep bursa exist in areas where muscIes overIie moving bony points but so rareIy cause symptoms as to be worth no specific mention. WhiIe the deep bursa are numerous, by far the most frequentIy involved is the subacromia1 bursa. Because the Iesions produced in this bursa are more or Iess typica of those invoIving deep bursa eIsewhere in the body, and because of the importance of the symptoms produced, we have chosen to describe the diseases of the subacromia1 bursa somewhat in detai1. Acute Traumatic Subacromial Bursitis. Whenever a thrust is taken by the hand or forearm, the force is transmitted to the area of the subacromia1 bursa and the coraco-acromia1 arch prevents upward dislocation of the head of the humerus, so that every faI1 on the hand or forearm may cause contusion of the bursa1 surfaces with sIight or even severe bursitis. Injury to
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the bursa occurs aIso in a11 disIocations at the shoulder and in fractures of the upper humerus. This fact is often overIooked in deaIing with the more evident bony lesions, but it is probabIy a factor in the disabiIity produced by these injuries. In young individuaIs, the bursitis resuIts in little or no fina disabiIity; but in the eIderIy, the bursa1 Iesion, if negIected, may cause persistent troubIe. Acute traumatic bursitis with severe pain may foIIow a faI1 in which the point of the shouIder impinges forcibIy on a hard object, or it may be secondary to a tear of the supraspinatus tendon or fracture of the greater tuberosity, both of which underlie the ffoor of the bursa. The patient compIains of severe shouIder pain and decIines to move the arm, which is heId rigidIy at the side. Even passive motion causes severe pain. The arm may be passiveIy eIevated through 30” to 60” but cIose inspection reveals this motion to occur by rotation of the scapuIa on the chest rather than at the scapuIohumera1 joint. Reflex muscIe rigidity in acute bursitis may be so great that abduction is simulating compIete aImost impossibIe, tear of the supraspinatus tendon. PaIpabIe sweIIing and fluctuation may be present, but aIways there is acute wincing tenderness just beIow and anterior to the acromion. The pathologica process is essentially identical with that foIlowing acute trauma to a superficia1 bursa, except that adhesions resuIt in pain and Iimitation of motion. FoIIowing externa1 vioIence, acute subacromia1 bursitis is treated, in principle, Iike any acute traumatic Iesion. ImmobiIization shouId be in at Ieast partia1 abduction so as to relieve the tension of the shouIder muscIes, and so that any adhesions which form wiI1 be separated or stretched when the arm is Iater Iowered. A thick axilfary pad, with sIing and swath, or an abduction spIint, may be used for ambuIatory treatment, or the patient may be put to bed with the forearm slung to
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the head of the bed to maintain abduction. In the first twenty-four or thirty-six hours, ice bags wiII heIp to reIieve the pain and perhaps Iimit the sweIIing. Much relief of pain foIIows the use of even a miId anaIgesic, such as a capsuIe containing acetyIsaIicycIic acid grains 7 and phenobarbita1 grain $3. After forty-eight to seventy-two hours, heat (hot water bottIe, infra-red Iamp or radiant baker) and gentIe stroking massage heIp to shorten the course of the process. In order to prevent adhesions and Iimitation of motion, gentIe passive abduction shouId be begun as soon as the most acute phase subsides, which is usuaIIy in three or four days, preferabIy by having the patient stoop with the arm swinging at the side. UnIess there has been some tearing of the short rotator tendons, recovery wiI1 take pIace in about two weeks. CASE v. C. M., aged fifty years, housewife, came in December IO, 1936, compIaining of severe pain in the Ieft shoulder. Two days before she attempted to strike a smaI1 boy, swinging her arm downward. She missed her object. There was immediate sIight pain in the shouIder which became extremeIy severe four hours Iater. She did not sIeep for two nights. The pain was constant and sharp, radiating from the shouIder down to the insertion of the deltoid, and became agonizing on attempting movement. Physical Examination. There was sIight swelling in the region of the shouIder with exquisite tenderness over the greater tuberosity in an area about I cm. in diameter. The patient resisted any attempt at motion. VoIuntary abduction came to about IO degrees at the Total abduction was scapuIohumera1 joint. about 45 degrees. X-ray examination of the shouIder reveaIed no evidence of fracture. A diagnosis of acute traumatic subacromia1 bursitis was made. A sedative was prescribed and the arm put in an abduction spIint. External heat was advised. The patient had much Iess pain and her range of motion increased within two days. In another two weeks she had fuI1 range of motion and no pain,
Acute Subacromial Bursitis Due to Calcification. One other form of acute subacromia1 bursitis is common. FoIIowing an insignificant trauma, or without obvious cause, the patient begins to have pain in the shouIder. The pain grows worse rapidIy and in a few days may be agonizing. The Iimitation of motion, muscuIar rigidity, tenderness and at times sweIIing cIearIy indicate acute bursitis. The cause of the pain is tension in an area of caIcification in the short rotator tendons, usuaIIy the supraspinatus. Any movement of the arm, especiaIIy in abduction, tends to produce an increase of tension and therefore an increase of pain. CharacteristicaIIy in these acute cases the caIcified mass is reIativeIy Iarge and it appears in the x-ray fiIm to be we11 over the greater tuberosity rather than in the tendon immediateIy above the humerus. FrequentIy, the humerus must be rotated into two or more different positions to demonstrate the mass (Fig. 4). The agonizing pain of acute bursitis with calcification demands immediate relief. Experience has shown that prompt reIief may be obtained by reIieving the tension in the caIcified area. This may be accompIished in two ways. I. The first method is that of exposing the bursa under IocaI anesthesia through an incision over the greater tuberosity, according to Codman. After separation of the fibers of the deItoid muscIe, the roof of the bursa is opened and the area of caIcification appears as a white mound surrounded by a ring of injected vesseIs. Incision of this area permits the escape of a mass of toothpasteIike materiaI into the bursa. With this reIief of tension there is an aTmost immediate subsidence of pain. The caIcified materia1 which escapes is removed, but no effort is made to compIeteIy evacuate the area of caIcification. The wound is cIosed with interrupted sutures. The arm is immobiIized with an axiIIary pad and sIing. If appropriate sedative drugs are suppIied for the first twenty-four hours, the patient experiences
NE.w SERIES VOL. XXXVII,
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Iit ;tIe diffkuky and the whoIe procedure m ay be carried out without hospitalizatican. In about a week, most of the cases
A
American
Journal
cream cheese and apparently
had been unde pressure. This substance was removed as fa r as possibIe and the wound cIosed.
B
FIG. 4. A and B, calcification in the floor of the subacromia1 bursa. Note how IittIe of the catcified is visibIe in A as compared with B, a view taken after rotating the arm.
have regained pain.
fuI1 range of motion without
CASE VI. M. C., aged 33 years, brickIayer, came in May 24, 1934, compIaining of severe pain in the right shoulder. He first noticed a duI1 ache in the right shouIder two weeks before, which, within a few days, became so severe that he was unabIe to work and couId sIeep onIy very poorIy. He had used various liniments, saIves, hot soaks and “sIeeping tabIets” without rehef. Physical Examination. We11 IocaIized tenderness was present over the area of the subacromia1 bursa. There was pain on abduction, interna and externa1 rotation of the arm. X-ray examination reveaIed a marked degree of calcification in the right subdeItoid bursa. Under IocaI anesthesia, an incision over the shoulder was made at the point of maximum tenderness. The fibers of the deItoid muscle were separated; the bursa was exposed and incised. On incising the caIcified area in the Boor of the bursa, a white semisoIid substance welIed out. It had the consistency of thin
46 3
of Surgery
deposit
The foIIowing day there was considerabIe reIief of pain. On the sixth postoperative day there was no pain, the sutures were removed and the patient was discharged. In April, 1935 on follow-up, the patient had no disability in the shouIder and had been perfectIy we11 since operation.
of treatment for 2. A second method this condition is by aspiration of the calcified material and irrigation of the area, as suggested by Smith-Peterson. Under IocaI anesthesia a needIe, about 14 gauge, is inserted into the area of caIcifkation and IO to 20 C.C.of a I per cent procaine hydrochIoride soIution is injected. Attempts at aspiration of the calcified materia1 are then made. If nothing can be aspirated a second needIe is often inserted above the first so as to reach the caIcified area at another angIe. It is then frequentIy possibIe to irrigate this area with saIine soIution. The caIc&ed materia1 becomes suspended in the solution and drains out
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Journal
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through the larger needle. In reheving tension in the caI&ed area by this method, good results are obtained only if the needle actuaIIy punctures the caMed deposit. ConsiderabIe discomfort is experienced for twenty-four hours after this treatment and adequate sedatives should therefore be given. After this period the pain and disabiIity rapidIy subside so that compIete function may usuaIIy be resumed in three or four days. CASE VII. J. S., aged 33 years, a nurse, came to the cIinic December 4, 1936, complaining of agonizing pain in the Ieft shouIder of seven days duration. She had been unable to sIeep for two nights and couId not move her arm without extreme pain. An x-ray pIate
showed an area of caMcation over the greater tuberosity (Fig. 4). A diagnosis of an acute subacromial bursitis with caIcific&tion was made. Two needIes were inserted into the calcified area under IocaI anesthesia and considerabIe caIcified materia1 was removed by aspiration and irrigation. Within a week there was compIete relief of pain and a fuI1 range of motion. Subacute and Chronic Subacromial Bursitis. When there is thickening and roughening of the bursa1 surfaces so that the head of the humerus does not gIide smoothIy under the acromion, there is produced the cIinica1 picture of a subacute or chronic subacromia1 bursitis. These changes in the bursa may be simpIy posttraumatic, foIIowing an injury to the bursa and immobiIization of the arm at the side. FrequentIy, the cause may be sIight caIcification of the short rotator tendons, with roughening of the floor of the bursa; Iess commonIy, the irritant may be hypertrophy of the greater tuberosity resuIting in friction when the tuberosity sIips beneath the acromion in the process of eIevation of the arm. CIinicaIIy, whatever the cause, the condition presents much the same picture. Pain in the shouIder comes on, increases sIowIy, and is commonIy worse at night.
SEPTEMBER, 1937
In some patients the chief compIaint is of pain at some point in the abduction arc; in others the abiIity to eIevate the arm becomes Iess. There is Iimitation of scapuIohumera1 motion, and, in advanced cases, abduction takes pIace mainly by rotation of the scapuIa on the chest. Limitation of interna and externa1 rotaCrepitation is often tion are frequent. paIpabIe with shouIder motion. When the condition has persisted for any Iength of time, atrophy of the deItoid and supraspinatus muscles may be seen. Tenderness over the greater tuberosity is present. A history of trauma in these cases is unreliabIe, and x-ray examination may show caIc&cation or changes in the greater tuberosity. The first objective in these cases is to restore motion and thereby to reIieve pain. The pain may be obstinateIy persistent, but will cIear up if good motion is restored and maintained by exercises. Open operation, except when the greater tuberosity shows marked hypertrophy, has given disappointing resuIts. Under IocaI anesthesia, such as infiItration of the bursa with 20 to 30 cc. of I per cent procaine hydrochIoride, or under genera1 anesthesia, manipulation with gentIe but firm motion of the shoulder through its fuI1 range gives immediateIy greater function and, in a few days, less pain. Stooping exercises of the shoulder to the limit of pain must be carried out three or four times daiIy. The appIication of heat, three times daiIy, folIowed by a miId counterirritant, such as chIoroform Iiniment or methy saIicyIate, in gentIy massaging the shouIder, gives a considerabIe measure of comfort. The anaIgesic capsuIe mentioned above aIso heIps. The patient shouId be apprised of the stubborn character of the Iesion, with nevertheIess an exceIIent prognosis. CASE VIII. N. T., aged 52 years, Iaborer, came to the clinic November 12, 1934, compIaining of pain in the right shouIder. This
began eight months before when he feII on his
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Ferguson-Bursitis
extended arm. The pain was dull in character and gradually became worse. X-ray examination showed “in the proximal end of the diaphysis of the humerus an area of diminished density circumscribed by a zone of increased density, the identity of which is uncertain. It may represent an inflammatory process.” Physical Examination. There was weakness of the muscles of the right shoulder. He was unable to lift the arm beyond go degree abduction. Palpable crepitation was present over the area of the subacromia1 bursa on rotation or abduction of the arm. A diagnosis of chronic subacromial bursitis was made. Under local anesthesia an incision 3 inches long was made over the anterior aspect of the head of the humerus and the fibers of the deltoid muscle were separated down to the bursa. The bursal wall was then incised and many hypertrophied villi were exposed and removed. Two sharp projections from the lesser tuberosity were trimmed off. The deltoid muscle was sutured with catgut and the wound closed with silk. Immediately after operation the patient could easily bring the arm into full abduction. Three days later motion was improved, pain was very slight and only occasional Exercises were started two days previously. The sutures were removed on the fifth day and the wound was clean. On the sixteenth postoperative day there was almost complete range of motion without pain and the patient was discharged. CASE IX. H. S., aged 65 years, a grocer, came in November 7, 1936, complaining of pain in the right shoulder which began six weeks before, when he fell, striking the shoulder. Physical Examination. There was marked Iimitation of abduction, moderate limitation of interna and externaI rotation and tenderness over the anterior surface of the head of the humerus. A diagnosis of chronic subacromial bursitis, post-traumatic, was made. X-ray examination showed a suggestion of some decalcification of the greater tuberosity. After injection of 30 C.C. procaine hydrochIoride I per cent solution into the bursa, the arm was manipmated to obtain fuI1 range of motion at the shoulder. Stooping exercises were prescribed. An acute exacerbation occurred after the manipulation, but subsided.
American Journd of Surgery
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Five days later almost full range of motion was present and the pain was considerably less. External heat and exercises were prescribed. November 20, the patient had full range of motion but stiI1 had pain. December 26, 1936, the patient still had slight pain, but much less than before, and there was a full range of motion.
of the other deep bursa are uncommon. The bursa above the greater trochanter of the femur occasionaIIy undergo caMcation and give symptoms simuIating hip-joint disease.? The pretibia1 bursa, located beneath the lower end of the pateIIa and behind the attachment of the quadriceps tendon, aIs 0ccasionaIIy gives symptoms. Excision of these bursa appears to be the most satisfactory treatment. Inflammatory
Iesions
SUMMARY
Bursa are potentia1 spaces which deveIop in connective tissue in response to movement or friction. SuperficiaI bursa deveIop in the subcutaneous fatty tissue between the skin and bony points; the diseases pecuIiar to this type have been discussed and their treatment outIined. The deep bursa Iie between moving bony points and overIying muscIes. Of these the subacromia1 bursa gives symptoms most frequentIy, and a discussion of its diseases has been given as typical of those of a11 deep bursa. REFERENCES I. BLACK, B. MARDEN. Development of human synovia1 hursae. Amt. Record, 60: 333, 1934. 2. KING, E. S. J. Golgi apparatus of synovial cells. Jour. Path. and Bacterial., 4~: I 17, 1933. 3. EISING, E. H. Olecranon and prepatellar bursitis. Med. Record, 140: 539, ,934. 4. CARP, LOUIS. The conservative treatment of prepatellar bursitis. Surg., Gynec. and Oh., $2: 87,
1931. 5. CARABBA,VICTOR. Sclerosing injections
in surgery.
Ann. Surg., gg: 668, 1934. 6. CODMAN.
E. A. The ShouIder. Boston, Thomas Todd Co., 1934. 7. GOLDENBERG,R. N. and LEVENTHAL, G. S. Supratrochanteric caIcifmation. Jour. Bone and Joint Surg., 18: 205 (Jan.) 1936.