Olecranon Bursitis Condition

What is Olecranon Bursitis?

Olecranon bursitis is a painful condition in which the bursa at near tip of the elbow becomes inflamed. That part of the elbow is known as the olecranon. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac positioned between the skin and the pointed bone of the olecranon. When it becomes inflamed, the sac gets filled with extra fluid that results in swelling on the tip of the elbow and reddened skin. Sometimes a lump is formed at the elbow tip, which explains why some people refer to the condition as Popeye Elbow.

When healthy, the bursa are designed to provide a cushion between bones, muscles, tendons, and joints. The olecranon bursa’s role is to reduce rubbing and friction between your olecranon and skin. Injury, infection, and other factors can harm the bursa, create inflammation, and prevent the sac from performing its proper function. The good news is that osteopathic care can be an effective option for treating bursitis and other elbow, hand and wrist conditions.

What Causes this Condition?

Elbow bursitis has several main causes. They include:

• Injuries to the elbow. Common injuries include sudden impact that cause bleeding or fluid buildup and falls or other accidents.
• Infection from an insect bite, scrape, cut, or other injury that results in the bursa being filled with extra fluid.
• Excessive pressure from leaning the elbow against solid surfaces. This can be a common workplace hazard for people with desk jobs as well as plumbers, flooring contractors, and anyone else whose elbow repeatedly comes into contact with floors, desks, or walls.
• Inflammation is the common factor in bursitis cases.

In addition, patients suffering from medical conditions like arthritis, kidney failure, and gout are at higher risk for experiencing this form of bursitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Olecranon Bursitis?

The most common symptoms associated with this condition include:

• Swelling at the tip of the elbow. Most patients notice this symptom first, especially as the swelling expands. In some cases, patients may experience golf-ball-sized swelling on their elbow.
• Tenderness along the tip of the elbow and nearby region.
• Warmer skin and redness around the affected area.
• Pus, in cases where the bursa has become infected.
• Pain due to the bursa’s expansion. Note that this pain can be greater when the elbow bends. However, in some cases, there is no pain at all.

How We Can Help

Since inflamed bursa can often be a sign of injury or infection, it is vital to get a proper diagnosis. Dr. Leonid Tafler, D.O. can provide the examination and diagnosis you need to ensure that you receive osteopathic care that meets your needs. Our team can provide the safe, gentle, and non-invasive treatment needed to address your elbow bursitis.