ABSTRACT
Synovial bursae constitute an integral part of the bone-tendon-joint complex. They are particularly susceptible to injuries and damage in athletes. Direct acute trauma leads to bleeding into the bursal space, causing acute swelling and pain with limited motion; this is usually called acute hemorrhagic bursitis. Repetitive microtraumas, such as permanently increased friction of tendon over the bursa or constant outer pressure on bursa (ill-fitting shoes or athletic equipment), can cause chronic inflammation clinically referred to as chronic bursitis. Bursitis may be infected either primarily or secondarily, and these cases are referred to as septic bursitis.65 Overuse injuries include chronic bursitis as Well.4,7,16,33,34,47
I. ANATOMY
Synovial bursae are either small or large closed saclike structures that lie in continuity with, but not normally in communication with, a joint. They are found between skin and bone (prepatellar bursa), tendon and tendon (semitendinosus bursa), bone and tendon (deep infrapatellar bursa), tendon and ligament (between fibular collateral ligament and popliteus tendon), tendon and capsule (semimembranosus bursa), and also in the subfascial planes noted under the iliotibial tract.
