Beat knee/hand/elbow may be caused by osteoarthritis or bursitis defined as inflammation of the bursae which are small sacs of fluid use to help motion. Bursae are best thought of as a cushion: they protect tendons and ligaments while you move, enabling smooth motion. They prevent damage due friction while you walk, run or move your limbs; it would indeed be impossible to move painlessly without them. However inflammation of the bursae is a painful condition called ‘bursitis’, which may cause or contribute to ‘beat knee’, ‘beat hand’ and ‘beat elbow’.
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Manual & Clerical
Bursitis commonly comes about as the result of industrial and occupational requirements. It is a bane of manual workers and some categories of clerical workers. Repetitive movement or lifting, especially for prolonged periods of time, can stress the joints sufficiently for both osteoarthritis and bursitis to occur. Bursitis might result from injury, from chronic stress to the joints, from tight muscles and even from allergies in some individuals. When bursitis occurs, the bursae inflame and fill with fluid which causes discomfort. It is anticipated that the main group claiming bursitis and osteoarthritis compensation in the future in the form of beat knee will be elderly miners who, in the past, worked at coal face seams on their knees.
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Symptoms & Diagnosis
Bursitis or osteoarthritis causes pain and sensitivity to the local area, it can reduce flexibility and strength – sometimes without pain and can even prevent motion altogether. It may also be visible, in the form of redness and swelling around the inflamed areas. Diagnosis is carried out by a medical specialist who is likely to carry out x-rays, extract fluid from inflamed bursae, carry out blood tests and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose bursitis or osteoarthritis, and not gout or other plausible causes of such symptoms. If you suffer from any of these symptoms and you have worked in a vulnerable industry you should take advice from a personal injury compensation claim solicitor.
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Treatment
Numerous forms of treatment are available for bursitis and osteoarthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are often given in the first instance. The application of heat or ultrasound in an effort to relax the joint may also be helpful. Physical and sports therapists may use deep-heat therapy to reduce inflammation. In more severe cases osteoarthritis and bursitis can be treated through steroid medication and surgery is sometimes available for conditions that do not respond to other treatments.
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Free Legal Advice
All claims are dealt with using the no win no fee scheme and compensation is always paid in full with no deductions whatsoever. In England and Wales our solicitors are all members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts. If you would like to speak to a specialist solicitor just use the helpline or complete the form or just email us. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.
