J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2005 Jun;9(1):38-41.

The Effect of Indwelling Silk Suture Following Aspiration in the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Malleolar Bursitis

• Lee BJ
• Lee SR
• Kim ST

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the drainage effect of silk suture following aspiration of the bursa as an early treatment of chronic lateral malleolar bursitis
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirteen cases, which have over two weeks of history and over one year of follow-up, were investigated. The average duration of follow-up was 16.4 months. The average symptom duration before introduction into this study was 7.8 weeks. With an aseptic technique, the aspiration of the bursa was done with 18G needle and syringe and then the insertion of silk suture through the aspiration needle was performed. The amount of drainage was identified two or three times in a week and stitch out was done at the cessation of drainage. Over one year follow-up, recurrence, infection, pain, and limitation of range of motion were investigated by telephone interview.
RESULTS
Redness around the insertion site of silk suture was found in all cases, but there was no development of active infection or recurrence. The average duration of treatment is 10.4 days.
CONCLUSION
The drainage with silk suture following aspiration of the bursa is less invasive and very effective method in the early treatment of chronic lateral malleolar bursitis.

Keyword

Lateral Malleolar Bursitis; Aspiration; Silk Suture

MeSH Terms

Bursitis*
Drainage
Follow-Up Studies
Interviews as Topic
Needles
Range of Motion, Articular
Recurrence
Silk*
Sutures*
Syringes
Silk