OLECRANON BURSITIS

SYMPTOMS

If you have olecranon bursitis, you may experience:

Swelling. The first symptom following elbow bursitis is most likely swelling or edema. However, due to the structure of the elbow in which the back of it is loose, a small amount of fluid present may not be noticed immediately.

Pain. Pain is often an accompanying symptom whenever swelling persists. This occurs since the bursa starts to stretch when swelling is persistent. Greater discomfort is often felt whenever you put direct pressure or bend your elbow. Swelling can grow to a larger size that it may restrict the elbow’s range of mobility.

Calor and rubor. These two classical signs of inflammation are often present in bursitis. This may indicate an underlying infection. Infections that are not treated can often lead to bacteremia. This can cause major complications. Occasionally, an inflamed and infected bursa will burst out spontaneously and drain its pus.

DIAGNOSIS

After a prompt evaluation of your medical history and your symptoms, your doctor will perform a physical exam of your elbow and your arm.

X-rays. To look for a foreign body or a bone spur, your doctor will most probably recommend an X-ray to find out what is lodged in your bursa or to examine the state of your elbow. For individuals who have had repeated instances of elbow bursitis, a bone spur might develop.

Fluid testing. Your doctor will extract a small sample of bursal fluid to be sent out to the laboratory for analysis. This is done for them to diagnose whether bursitis is caused by an infection or gout.

TREATMENT

Aspiration is usually done if your doctor suspects that your bursitis is due to an infection.  This is done by inserting a needle into the bursa and extracting the fluid slowly. This is often an office procedure. This may alleviate symptoms and gives your doctor a sample to be analyzed in a diagnostic laboratory.

You might be given antibiotics as prophylaxis. This is to ensure that bacteria won’t be growing at the aspiration site. Your doctor, without pathogen-specific information, will be prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics.

If the bursitis is not from an infection, there are several management options.

• Activity changes
• Elbow pads
• Medications