Tag: olecranon bursitis

Anatomical diagram of elbow joint highlighting inflamed olecranon bursa, humerus, ulna, olecranon process, triceps tendon, and synovial fluid.

What Is Olecranon Bursitis, Also Called Elbow Bursitis?

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Orthopedic/MusculoskeletalLeave a comment
  shutterstock_159146555shutterstock_138510524A patient came in today complaining about a lump on her elbow and that is has been slightly painful for the last week.  She is a student and spends many hours reading books and resting her elbow on a table while studying.  This disorder called olecranon bursitis is a fairly common condition in which the bursa, which is a sac-like structure that protects the elbow from pressure injuries becomes inflamed. Bursas are found all over the body including the shoulders, elbows, knees, feet and hips.   They contain a lubricating fluid that fills the sac and decreases the friction between ligaments, bones and tendons. Bursitis of the elbow can be caused from:
  1. Prolonged pressure on a bursa (such as when leaning on the elbow while studying for long periods of time or resting the elbow on a car door during a long trip).
  2. Repetitive motions that cause irritation (laying carpet is an example).
  3. An injury or trauma
  4. Medical conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis or pseudogout
  5. An infection within the bursa (called septic bursitis)
Usually a bursitis is not caused from an infection, but when there is redness and warmth to the skin there is a higher chance of infection.  If the skin overlying the elbow becomes punctured or injured there is a higher chance of a septic elbow bursitis. How would I know if I have bursitis or some other type of problem causing the elbow pain?  A medial provider who has experience with joint conditions will likely be able to diagnose the problem after examining you and hearing about your symptoms.  If there is redness or increased warmth to the area in addition to the swelling, a medical provider might ask to use a syringe and needle to remove a sample of fluid from the bursa to test for infection.   The fluid from the elbow can also be tested for crystals that can be caused by gout or pseudogout.  If you have uric acid crystals in your elbow, the medial provider will help you lower your uric acid levels to prevent worsening symptoms and decrease the chances of crystals forming in other joints. For more information about gout, please see my blog article on that topic. Sometimes an x-ray, ultrasound or MRI is ordered if there is still some uncertainty about the cause of the elbow problem. What can I do for the bursitis?  Treatment of elbow bursitis involved decreasing the pressure or motion that is causing the inflammation.  If there is infection, treating with antibiotics is important.  If the bursitis is not due to an infection however, then draining the fluid usually is not very helpful because the bursa will create more fluid and only enlarge again.  In addition, there is a risk of introducing infection into the joint if a needle is put poked through the skin and into the bursa.  If there was not an infection already present within the bursa or joint, there is a greater chance of introducing infection by attempting to withdraw the fluid.  It is important to rest the joint and apply ice.  We also usually prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication such as naproxen or ibuprofen.  Sometimes heat or a steroid injection is also used to help decrease the inflammation.  Heat can be applied to the elbow with a hot pack, a heating pad or hot water bottle.  Ice can be applied using a frozen gel pack or a bag of frozen peas.  I usually don’t recommend using either ice or heat for more than 20 minutes at a time and recommend caution so you don’t burn the skin. How can I prevent bursitis?  Irritation to the small bursal sacs can be minimized by decreasing repetitive motions, using cushions or pads to reduce the pressure on joints and taking periodic short breaks from tasks that increase joint pressure.  If you start having pain in a joint, this is a warning that there is too much stress and the activity should be modified or avoided.   I hope that you have found this information useful.  Wishing you the best of health,

Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.

Woman cradling her elbow and forearm with her opposite hand at a table

Elbow Pain: Several Common Causes and Treatment Options

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Orthopedic/MusculoskeletalLeave a comment
shutterstock_56557723Pain in the elbow is a common musculoskeletal complaint seen in the urgent care.  It can happen as a result of sports injury or trauma or can be symptoms of underlying infection, gout or bursitis.  Several causes are listed below: Elbow tendinopathy:  This is usually called golf or tennis elbow and is caused when then tendon, or strong band of tissue that connects muscles to bones is injured or inflamed.  The symptoms are pain, swelling and even weakness in the elbow. Olecranon bursitis:  A “bursa” is a small fluid-filled sac that sits near a bone.  Bursitis happens when the bursa gets irritated and swollen and can happen when a joint is moved over and over again in the same way over a short period of time.  It may also happen if the elbow sits on a hard surface or stays in a position that presses on the bursa for a long time. Nerve entrapment: The ulnar, median and radial nerves course in close proximity to the elbow.  Ulnar neuropathy is the most common compression neuropathy and it can cause sensory loss, pain and paresthesias over the ring and small fingers. Osteoarthritis:  Degenerative processes of the elbow are rare because it is non-weight bearing.  When present however osteoarthritis is usually related to prior fractures that involve the joint.  If there is an elbow deformity, we often think about underlying inflammatory arthritis. Radial head fracture:  Fracture of the radial head of the elbow most often occurs when the patient falls on an outstretched hand.  The radial head and neck make up the proximal portion of the radius.  Pain and swelling over the lateral elbow can be a sign of this type of fracture. Elbow dislocation:  Posterior elbow dislocation is the most common dislocation in children younger than 10 years of age and the second most common in adults, after shoulder dislocation.  Posterior elbow dislocations usually occur after a fall or a twisting injury to the elbow. Radial head subluxation (nursemaid’s elbow):  This is a common elbow injury in young children typically between 1-4 years old.  The mechanism of injury is sudden traction on the distal arm with the forearm pronated and the elbow extended.  A portion of the annular ligament of the patient’s elbow slips over the head of the radius and slides into the radiohumeral joint where it becomes trapped and causes pain.   The treatment is generally fairly easy by an experienced healthcare provider and the patient has immediate relief of pain when it is done properly. Gout:  Usually characterized by the sudden onset of severe elbow pain often with redness, swelling and tenderness.  There is no history of trauma.  It is caused from the uric acid crystals that develop in the joint (usually a single joint) and is less common in the elbow than the big toe. Treatment of elbow pain:  Identifying the cause of the patients elbow pain and treating that is the most efficient way to treat the patient’s pain.  Treatment may involve manipulation of the joint, using a shoulder sling and ice, or medication such as anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers, and possibly antibiotics.   I hope that you have found this information useful.  Wishing you the best of health,

Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.