What is elbow (Olecranon) bursitis?

Elbow bursitis is painful swelling around the elbow joint. It represents inflammation in the olecranon bursa, the fluid-filled sac surrounding and protecting the elbow.

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that envelops all the major joints of your body. They act as shock absorbers and pads between the bone, muscles, tendons, or skin. Bursitis occurs when irritation develops in a bursa, typically from overuse or damage due to trauma or an infection.

Pain from an inflamed bursa can develop suddenly or build up over time.

Elbow bursitis vs. tennis elbow

Both elbow bursitis and tennis elbow cause overuse pain in the elbow. Both medical conditions could also be caused by overuse. The bursa is the fluid-filled sac surrounding your elbow, and the inflammation of the bursa is called bursitis. Tennis elbow is when the tendons in your elbows become inflamed or even tear.

Bursitis vs. cellulitis

Cellulitis is a non-communicable bacterial infection that causes swellings in the skin and inner tissues surrounding the infected part of the body. While bursitis and cellulitis lead to inflammation, bursitis is not an infection.

Elbow bursitis vs gout

A gout is a painful form of arthritis. This can be due to a buildup of uric acid in your body. It causes bursitis-type pain and swelling, except it usually comes through your big toes. Gout symptoms are induced when sharp uric acid crystals collect within your joints. The swelling and pain accompanying bursitis result from the inflammation within your fluid-filled olecranon bursa.

Gout and other types of arthritis can lead to bursitis.

Regardless of the cause of pain or swelling, if you notice a new starting symptom in or around your elbow, talk to your doctor.

Who gets elbow bursitis?

Anyone can develop bursitis, but some groups of people are more likely to do so, including:

People with jobs that require physical activity: For example, you spend most of your time at your job on your hands and knees or leaning on your elbows for a lot of time. You'll soon develop elbow bursitis.

Athletes or people with specific hobbies: Sports or any other activity that requires repetitive movements involving your elbow and arm tends to put added stress on your elbow bursa. Musicians are also highly vulnerable to elbow bursitis.

People with specific medical conditions: If one suffers from specific conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid disease, then he or she is highly prone to developing elbow bursitis.

How common is elbow bursitis?

Elbow bursitis is a relatively common condition. Over two-thirds of cases are non-infectious bursitis due to trauma or sports injuries.

How does elbow bursitis affect my body?

Aside from pains and swellings, elbow bursitis prevents you from using your elbow as usual. When the swelling in your olecranon bursa results from an injury in your arm, your bursa might be bleeding inside your body.

It may be complicated or uncomfortable to do everyday activities when you are having symptoms.

What are the symptoms for elbow bursitis?

Common signs of elbow bursitis include:

• Swelling at the elbow.
• Pain, especially when moving your elbow.
• Redness and warmth (if this is caused by infection).

What causes elbow bursitis?

Causes of elbow bursitis include:

• Repetitive motion of the elbow at work or in a hobby, for instance, a baseball pitcher pitching a ball.
• Sitting or standing or kneeling, or lifting or lying down for long periods in ways that put pressure on your elbows.
• Infections
• Traumas or a blow to your elbow.
• Activities that commonly causes bursitis
• Carpentry
• Gardening and raking
• Painting
• Poor posture
• Bone spurs or arthritis in your elbow.
• Scrubbing
• Shoveling.
• Sports activities like tennis, golf and baseball.

How is elbow bursitis diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose elbow bursitis by doing a physical examination. They'll hear what you have to say about your symptoms and examine your elbow.

Your doctor may think your bursitis could be caused by infection, something known as septic bursitis. They may also want to determine if something else is causing your elbow pain. You may require some of these tests:

• X-ray.
• Ultrasound.
• MRI.
• Blood tests.
• Fluid aspiration: a sample of the fluid is obtained from your bursa.

How is elbow bursitis treated?

It depends on if the case is an infection how elbow bursitis is treated.

If you don't have an infection, you would need only home treatments. This includes:

• Rest: Rest from activities that led to your bursitis is essential to the healing process.
• Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs will also help alleviate the pain and swelling associated with bursitis.
• Immobilization: Using a splint or brace, you can prevent your elbow from moving.

If these treatments are ineffective for three to six weeks, your provider may aspirate the excess fluid around your bursa and inject you with a corticosteroid to reduce the swelling.

Treatment of septic bursitis

If you get an infection, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics. You then have to take pills for about a week. Always finish taking antibiotics for as long as your provider prescribes them. Even though you are getting better, you have to finish the antibiotics prescribed so that medicine can kill all of the infections that still linger within your body.

Your doctor may also aspirate your bursa to take out as much infected fluid as possible.

Elbow bursitis surgery

You are very unlikely to require surgery to treat elbow bursitis. If the symptoms do not diminish with non-surgical treatments, or if you have a serious infection that cannot be treated by antibiotics, you will likely require surgery.

It is usually outpatient, so you'll likely be home the same day. You will require a splint or brace to keep the elbow still as it heals. You should plan on recovering for about a month.

How long does the bursitis of the elbow last?

Elbow bursitis is generally treated by rest and other self-care measures. The symptoms can last from three to six weeks, and the injury heals completely by then.

If you have an infection, you should start feeling better immediately after taking your antibiotics. Even if your symptoms improve, you must complete a full dose of antibiotics.

How can I reduce my risk of elbow bursitis?

The best thing to do is to avoid overusing your elbow as much as possible.

Be sure to give your body time to rest and recover after any heavy exercise or activity. If your job or hobby requires you to use your elbows often, make sure you have the right safety gear, like elbow pads.

What can I expect if I have elbow bursitis?

You should be able to recover fully from elbow bursitis. Even if caused by infection, bursitis should have no long term effects on your health or life.

Do I need to take time off work or school to recover from elbow bursitis?

If you can work or do your schoolwork without putting strain on your elbow, you don't have to take any time off work or school while recovering.

But if an activity like work is causing your condition, you might have to modify it when recovering the elbow. Talk to your doctor about recovery time concerning symptoms in the following section.

Living With

How can I take good care of myself?

Leave time for your body to heal during recovery from elbow bursitis. Do not try to work or play through pain. If the pain is improving, wait until you're confident that returning to any sport or physical activity wasn't what directly caused your bursitis.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Talk with your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Your everyday activities are being interfered with by pain.
• The soreness does not improve within a few days
• Presence of fever
• Color, swelling, or warmth around your elbow
• Recurrent bursitis.

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