Elbow Bursitis 101: Decoding Your Elbow Pain

We all know the pain of hitting our funny bones, but some causes of elbow pain are harder to pinpoint. Elbow bursitis, sometimes called olecranon bursitis, is one of the more common sources of pain in your elbow and one that can be relatively easy to treat if you identify it early.

What Is Elbow Bursitis?

Elbow bursitis develops when the olecranon bursa, a thin, fluid-filled sac in the elbow joint, becomes irritated or inflamed.

“Bursae are located between bones and soft tissues throughout the body,” says Dr. Vandit Sardana, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists. “They are small, fluid-filled sacs that lubricate the bone and surrounding tissue so muscles, tendons and skin can move freely over bones. The olecranon bursa cushions the bony part of the elbow and allows you to extend and flex your arm easily.”

The olecranon bursa is usually flat. However, if something causes extra fluid to build up in the bursa, you can develop elbow bursitis.

Read More: Common Elbow Injuries: How to Reduce Your Risk

What Leads to Swollen Bursae?

You can develop a swollen olecranon bursa for a few reasons:

• Infection. Bacteria can make their way into the bursa from a puncture wound, insect bite or a scrape on or near the elbow joint. Infection can lead to septic bursitis, a potentially serious condition that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and fever.
• Putting pressure or leaning on your elbows for long periods. This can cause bursitis to develop over a few months.
• Repetitive motions. Painting, shoveling, tennis, golf, baseball and gardening are among the repetitive activities that can lead to bursitis.
• Trauma or sudden, hard blows to the tip of the elbow.

Certain medical conditions and forms of arthritis, such as gout, are also associated with a higher risk of elbow bursitis. Gout develops when uric acid levels in the blood are too high, causing uric acid crystals to form in the joint. In the elbow joint, these crystals can cause irritation and swelling of the olecranon bursa, leading to elbow bursitis.

What Elbow Bursitis Feels Like

One early symptom of elbow bursitis is swelling around or at the tip of the elbow. This inflammation can cause pain, which may worsen if you put pressure on or try to straighten or bend your elbow.

If the bursa is infected, you may also experience redness of the skin that is warm to the touch. Call your provider as soon as possible because untreated septic bursitis can be dangerous.

Read More: A Primer on Preventing Bone and Joint Problems

Treatment Options for Elbow Bursitis

In some cases, elbow bursitis goes away on its own in three to six weeks. Orthopedic specialists generally start with conservative treatments, such as a brace to minimize elbow joint movement, elbow pads to help reduce pressure, and over-the-counter pain medications. You can also practice the RICE method — rest, ice, compression and elevation — to reduce pain and inflammation.

If conservative treatments don’t work, your specialist may recommend removing fluid from the swollen bursa and corticosteroid injections to alleviate inflammation and pain in your elbow.

Surgery isn’t usually necessary unless you have severe septic bursitis. In those cases, you may need surgery to remove the bursa as well as post-surgery physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Need solutions for your elbow pain? Speak with an arm and hand pain specialist at Beaufort Memorial who can help.