Knee ache 101...I don't think I had mentioned last week's orthopedic visit resulting in the additional diagnosis below--bursitis on the inner right side of the same left knee that had the arthritis problem six months ago. No cortizone shot this time, although I did somewhat whine to the doctor that I sure would like one. He wants to try medication first for the inflammation. Hopefully, this will do the trick--at least to get me through the holidays.
What is a bursa?
"Every person has hundreds of bursa scattered throughout the body. The function 
of a bursa is to decrease friction between two surfaces that move in different directions.
The bursa can be thought of as a Ziplock bag with a small amount of oil and no air inside. Imagine rubbing this bag between your hands; movement of your hands would be smooth and effortless. That is what a bursa functions as--a smooth, slippery surface between two moving objects.
What is bursitis?
Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa. Normally, the bursa provides a slippery surface that has almost no friction. A problem arises when a bursa becomes inflamed. The bursa loses its gliding capabilities, and becomes more and more irritated when it is moved.
When the condition called bursitis occurs, the normally slippery bursa becomes swollen and inflamed. The added bulk of the swollen bursa causes more friction within an already confined space. Also, the smooth gliding bursa becomes gritty and rough. Movement of an inflamed bursa is painful and irritating."
I can agree with the painful and irritating part of the diagnosis, and I'm reminded of this poem I have taped above my desk:
Thankful For Little Things
There is always a lot to be thankful for
If you take time to look for it.
For example, I am sitting here thinking
How nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.
~Deb
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