INTRODUCTION​

• Elbow olecranon bursitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of one of the elbow bursae between the elbow olecranon bone and overlying skin

• A bursa is a fluid filled sac that serves as a lubricant between muscles/tendons to allow for smooth frictionless motion

• When irritated, the bursa inflames and becomes filled with fluid, thereby causing pain 

CAUSES

• There are many potential causes for elbow olecranon bursitis. Most commonly, it is due to hitting the elbow on a hard surface or repetitive activity involving the elbow rubbing against the overlying skin and leading to inflammation

• Other causes include direct trauma or fall on the elbow, tendinopathy of surrounding tendons, or idiopathic with no known cause

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Patients with elbow olecranon bursitis have pain in the back of the elbow

• They often report tenderness to palpation over the back of the elbow and pain with repetitive elbow motion

TREATMENT​​

A course of rest, compression wrap, ice, and anti-inflammatories is the mainstay of treatment for elbow olecranon bursitis

• Aspiration may be an option in patients with significant elbow olecranon bursitis

• If there is concern, aspiration and antibiotics may be started

• Surgery is only considered in patients with failure of extensive conservative management

• Surgery consists of bursa excision 

        PREVENTION

• Avoiding constant resting of the elbow on hard surfaces without pads and repetitive elbow motions can help decrease the chance of elbow olecranon bursitis