Bursitis; often and inexact diagnosis.

The word bursitis is like arthritis in that it must be modified by another before it has meaning precise enough for useful medical description and communication. It is used loosely and generally to describe a number of clinical and pathological entities, among which are true primary bursitis, cystic degenerations, calcareous deposits in ligaments and tendons, and so-called "chronic sprains" where a calcified deposit cannot be demonstrated. It is possible to differentiate between these four entities in the light of present-day knowledge and to make a more accurate statement of diagnosis. Bursitis is often a symptom... not a primary disease and hence not a proper diagnosis. Calcareous deposits in ligaments and tendons with evident inflammatory reaction have been described in many locations. No area seems to be immune but the rotator cuff and supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder show the greatest incidence. The term inflammatory tendinitis appears to be a reasonably useful one for describing the clinical manifestations of the disease. For further accuracy it can be modified by saying that it is with calcification or without calcification as the case may be. There might be serious consequences from confusing the pain radiation of inflammatory tendinitis (with or without calcification) around the trochanteric region of the hip with true sciatic neuritis arising from a herniated intervertebral disk.