What is elbow (olecranon) bursitis?
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between tendons, bones, and skin.
There are many bursae around the elbow, one of the major ones is at the tip of the elbow. This part of the elbow is called the olecranon and is part of the ulna bone.
Repeated injury or irritation of the bursa, such as falling onto the elbow or rubbing the elbow against a hard surface, irritates and inflames the bursa.
Irritation or inflammation of a bursa is called bursitis.
If you have Olecranon bursitis, you will have pain or swelling at the point of the elbow.
Also Known As
- Elbow Bursitis
Symptoms
Swelling at the point of the elbow – this can stick out quite a lot.
The elbow may be painful or painless. If it is painful, it can be made worse by applying pressure to the elbow, for instance if it is leaned on.
Warmth and redness at the point of the elbow.
Occasionally, the ability to bend or straighten the elbow is reduced.
Causes
The most common cause of olecranon bursitis is trauma. This can be a single event, such as banging the point of the elbow on a hard surface (for example, falling on a basketball court). It may also be the accumulation of many hundreds of ‘microtrauma’ incidents over months, such as rubbing elbows constantly on a desktop. For this last reason, olecranon bursitis is sometimes called ‘student’s elbow’.
Olecranon bursitis may occur as a result of underlying conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation all over the body, including possibly the olecranon bursa. Gout and pseudogout are conditions where crystals abnormally accumulate in various tissues in the body – including the olecranon bursa.
The condition may also be the result of an infection – for instance, if there is a cut over the point of the elbow that is contaminated.
Risk Factors
People with certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and pseudogout, are more prone to develop olecranon bursitis.
It is also seen in students and other people spending prolonged periods at desks with pressure on their elbows.
Investigations
Doctors may order the following tests when diagnosing this condition:
Ultrasound – this is a very effective test that shows soft tissue structures very well and can show fluid within the olecranon bursa
X-ray – this shows up bony structures very well and can be used to exclude a fracture in the elbow
Complications
Olecranon bursitis may result in:
Persistent pain
Persistent swelling
Reduced ability to bend or straighten elbow
Infection in the olecranon bursa
Treatment
Common ways to treat bursitis are:
- Avoid further trauma to the point of the elbow
- Put ice packs on your elbow for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain and swelling go away.
- Wrap an elastic bandage around your elbow to keep the bursa from swelling more.
- Take anti-inflammatory medicine as directed by your provider.
- Protect your elbow with a pad.
- Your provider may remove some of the bursa fluid with a needle and syringe. They may also inject the bursa with some cortisone at the same time.
- In some cases, problems with longstanding (chronic) bursitis may require surgical removal of the bursa.
- Antibiotics may be required if there is an infection present
- You can return to sports and activities requiring elbow pressure once pain and swelling have resolved.
Seeking Advice
Your Family Doctor (GP)
Your Family Doctor will be able to diagnose and help treat your problem. He or she will be able to
- tell you about your problem
- advise you of the best treatment methods
- prescribe you medications
- and if necessary, refer you to Specialists (Consultants) for further treatment
Prevention
Olecranon bursitis may be prevented by avoiding excessive pressure on the point of the elbow.
F.A.Q. | Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the effects last?
The length of recovery depends on many factors such as your age, health, and if you have had a previous injury. Recovery time also depends on the severity of the injury. The pain is usually gone within a few weeks, but there may be swelling for up to several months. Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to your normal activities.