Subacromial bursitis occurs when the subacromial bursa is inflamed.

The subacromial bursa is a fluid sac, with a lubricating role, which is located between the acromion bone and the tendon of the supraspinous muscle (muscles that are part of the rotator cuff) and which allows the tendons to move freely, thus avoiding rubbing the tendon on the bone. At the shoulder level there are several bursae, but the subacromial bursa tends to become inflamed most frequently.

Subacromial bursitis frequently causes pain in the shoulder and is also a common cause of shoulder impingement syndrome.

It inflames much more frequently than the subdeltoid bursa.

1. Repetitive arm movements, especially movements in which the arm is frequently raised above the head, as is the case of golf, tennis, swimming but also in daily activities such as washing windows, cutting wood, painting etc.

2. Wear / Arthritis of the acromio-clavicular joint can cause hypertrophy (thickening) of the joint leading to the decrease of the space under the joint and implicitly to the inflammation of the subacrocomial bursa. As time passes, there is a risk of developing bone spurs on the lower part of the acromio-clavicular joint, which will further narrow the subacromial space.

3. The shape of the acromion bone, if it is more curved, can irritate the bursa located under it. When we talk only about subacromial bursitis, its recovery can stretch over 6 weeks. Sometimes, however, subacromial bursitis is accompanied by other conditions such as: shoulder pushing syndrome, tendinopathy, rupture of the rotator cuff muscles, arthritis of the acromio-clavicular joint. In this situation, the recovery of the subacromial bursitis can take between 6 weeks and 9 months.

Avoid postures and movements that cause or accentuate pain, especially movements that involve lifting the arm above the head.

If the shoulder is very painful, one can use, for the short term, an orthosis which supports the weight of the arm.

Ice applied topically, in sessions of 5-10 minutes, several times a day, for 6 weeks helps reduce inflammation and pain.

Anti-inflammatory medicines help reduce inflammation and pain, but are recommended for short periods of time, 7-10 days. If the pain does not ameliorate, local injections at the level of the subacrocomial bursa, with corticosteroids, which are stronger anti-inflammatories, are also indicated.

The use of electrotherapy and ultrasound directly on the affected shoulder, helps reduce inflammation.

Light exercise programs, but also passive movements performed by a physical therapist, help significantly in:
✓ pain reduction

✓ increasing mobility in the shoulder joint

✓ gradual resumption of daily activities

Subacromial decompression by surgery helps reduce pressure on the subacronial bursa and implicitly on the tendon of the supraspinous muscle. It is indicated when the therapeutic measures listed above do not help to completely eliminate the pain, a situation encountered especially when subacromial bursitis is caused by arthritis of the acromio-clavicular joint and the appearance of bone spurs around the joint, which causes its thickening and narrows the subacromial space.

By subacromial decompression, this thickening is removed from around the joint but also the bursa. After surgery, the recovery of the shoulder can take up to 6 month.

➢ A correct posture of the shoulders will be maintained, both at rest and during activities.

➢ Daily exercises will be done to increase stability and mobility in the shoulder joint.

➢ Attention will be paid to repetitive movements, which predispose the shoulder joint to wear and inflammation of the bursa.

➢ Do not neglect the pain in the shoulder, the movements that cause or accentuate it will be avoided or limited.