What is Olecranon Bursitis?
Where a large joint is situated just under the skin, the body has a protective pad or bursa, which protects the skin from the underlying bone. When this bursa is irritated, it fills with fluid, creating a swelling.
Imagine putting a little oil into a deflated balloon – this would allow both sides of the balloon to glide smoothly over each other. This is similar to the way a bursa glides to protect the skin. If the balloon (or bursa) fills with fluid, it expands and becomes much bigger than it was to start with.
What are the symptoms?
Most people who have an olecranon bursitis complain of an uncomfortable lump over the elbow. This can be painful but more often just a tightness with inability to lean on the elbow.
Occasionally, an olecranon bursitis can become infected. This usually causes pain and redness, with discharge of pus if the pressure in the bursa goes up.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis is usually made on clinical grounds. An olecranon bursitis is usually soft but may feel lumpy, and usually very mobile – it can be moved around easily, although the base can be fixed. Further investigation is rarely needed.
What is the treatment?
These lumps generally resolve on their own with no treatment, although this can take many months. General measures can help with symptoms, such as:
– Avoiding leaning on your elbow, particularly on hard surfaces.
– Try not to stop moving your elbow. Its important to keep the joint moving.
What happens if it doesn’t go away?
If the lump is particularly large and bothersome, then it is possible to take the fluid away with a needle, and this may make the lump feel more comfortable. However, this procedure (aspiration) is not generally recommended. There is a small risk of introducing infection into an otherwise harmless bursa.
Although draining the fluid can make the lump go down in size, it often returns, so this can be a short term solution only. With time, however, the lump generally settles. We therefore recommend leaving the swelling along rather than draining it.
Is surgery ever required?
Surgery is not usually helpful for an olecranon bursitis. However, if the bursa becomes infected, then surgery may be needed to drain infection from the lump. You should see your doctor if the lump becomes red, hot or very tender.
