Bursitis
Bursae are fluid filled sacs present around the joint which facilitate movement and reduce friction at tendon-tendon and tendon-bone interface. The Elbow bursa also called as Olecranon bursa is a thin fluid sac present between the pointy olecranon and the skin whose main function is to reduce the friction between the two.
Bursitis is inflammation of this bursa which makes the back side of elbow swollen and painful.
Signs and Symptoms
- Swelling at the back of the elbow.
- Pain on bending the elbow or keeping it on hard surfaces.
- Redness and warmth which is a sign of infected bursa
Risk Factors
- Trauma due to fall on the elbow, thus common in people playing contact sports like football, basketball, volleyball.
- Student’s elbow is seen in people who keep their elbows rested on hard surfaces for long times, like when typing on computer keyboards.
- Also common in professionals like Miners, Gardeners, Plumbers and Mechanics.
- People with Gout or Rheumatoid arthritis
JEEVISHA protocol for management of Olecranon Bursitis
- Conservative management : Initial management of Olecranon bursitis includes avoiding of activities that cause direct pressure on the elbow. Use of elbow cushion pads help to ease the pressure further. Icing can be done 2-3 times a day to reduce the inflammation
- Medications :In the initial course of the management of this condition, patients may be prescribed some Anti-inflammatory medications. Some other medications may be prescribed depending on the condition of the patient, which is individualized from patient to patient basis.
Targeted treatment
- Ultrasound guided Bursa injections