Olecranon Bursitis

What is Olecranon How is Olecranon bursitis bursitis? diagnosed? A bursa is a fluid filled sac It is often simple to diagnose Olecranon that stops soft tissues such bursitis without any special test although as tendons, ligaments and your doctor may wish to do blood tests if they skin rubbing on the bone feel it is caused by infection, arthritis or gout. next to them. Bursitis is Occasionally your GP may want to take some inflammation of the bursa of the fluid out of the bursa with a needle to which can be caused by test for infection to ensure they can give the direct impact or by soft correct treatment, although this is unlikely. They tissue tightness over the may also wish to perform an x-ray where there bursa causing repeated has been an injury to ensure there is no small irritation. Olecranon bursitis is an irritation of fracture or bone chip in the elbow. the bursa over the point of the elbow. What is the treatment for What causes Olecranon bursitis? Olecranon bursitis? It is usually caused by repeated injury or Olecranon bursitis will often settle with no irritation to the bursa by activities such as simply treatment other that ensuring the bursa is leaning on the elbow i.e. when reading or protected from whatever caused the irritation in working at a desk which is why it is sometimes the first place. The PRICE‘ ’ treatment protocol is called ‘student’s elbow’. It can also be caused by recommended: a one off injury such as falling onto hard ground during sport. Protection: Avoid leaning on elbow or use padding to stop direct pressure to Other causes include arthritis which can cause the bursa. inflammation in many structures including Rest: Stop activities that may lead the bursa, an infection from a small cut, and to irritation such as continuous sometimes there is no apparent reason to cause elbow bending. bursitis. Ice: Use an ice pack wrapped in a damp tea-towel for 12 minutes up What are the symptoms? to 3 times a day for the first The most obvious symptom is a large, well 3 days. defined swelling over the point of the elbow Compression: Using a compression bandage may similar to that on the picture shown. These are help reduce the inflammation. often painless but can become uncomfortable if the irritating activity that caused it continues. Elevation: Elevating the arm when They may also be hot and red if there is an resting may help reduce the infection present or if they are caused by inflammation. arthritis. Anti-inflammatory medications:Your GP may prescribe some anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to help settle the inflammation. Injection: Steroid injections may help as they are a Help us get it right strong anti-inflammatory. If you have a complaint, concern, Antibiotics: These will be prescribed if it is thought comment or compliment please let us your bursitis is caused by infection. know by speaking to a member of our Aspiration: This means using a needle and syringe staff. We learn from your feedback to draw out the fluid from the bursa. This may be and use the information to improve attempted but is avoided if possible as it can lead to and develop our services. infection. Sometimes the bursa will refill with fluid If you would like to talk to someone after this has been done. outside the service contact the Patient Surgery: If you get recurrent painful Olecranon Experience Team on 0113 220 8585, bursitis then it may be necessary to have the bursa Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm removed surgically but this is a last resort and is or email [email protected] quite rare. We can make this information available in Braille, large print, audio or other languages on request.