Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis

Understanding Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis

A bursa is a thin, slippery sac that lets skin glide over bone. The olecranon bursa sits between the skin and the bony tip of the elbow (the olecranon). Normally it is flat, but when irritated or inflamed it fills with fluid and swells, sometimes to the size of a golf ball.

Bursitis can follow a hard blow to the elbow, prolonged leaning on the elbow on hard surfaces, or inflammatory conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis. A break in the skin can let bacteria in and cause an infected (septic) bursitis, which needs prompt treatment.

Most non-infected bursitis improves with rest, padding, compression and avoiding pressure on the elbow; fluid may be drained. Infected bursitis is treated with antibiotics and drainage. Surgical removal of the bursa is considered for infection that does not respond or for swelling that keeps coming back.

Causes & Risk Factors

• A direct blow or fall onto the elbow
• Prolonged leaning on the elbow
• Gout, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
• Infection through a break in the skin

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of Olecranon Bursitis include:

• Swelling at the tip of the elbow
• Pain with pressure or bending
• Redness and warmth, which can signal infection
• Fever, chills or drainage with infected bursitis

Treatment Options

Treatment for Olecranon Bursitis depends on the severity of your condition and may include:

• Avoiding pressure and using elbow padding
• Compression and anti-inflammatory medications
• Aspiration (draining the fluid)
• Corticosteroid injection for non-infected bursitis that does not improve after three to six weeks
• Antibiotics for infected bursitis
• Surgical bursectomy for persistent or recurrent bursitis