Recognizing the Symptoms: What Is Elbow Bursitis?

Elbow bursitis is a relatively common condition that can affect anyone of any age. If you’re having problems with your elbow but have yet to receive medical help, read on to learn more about this condition.

Understanding what it is, what it’s caused by, and the symptoms to look out for, you can determine if this is something you, too, may be dealing with and seek medical attention.

What is Elbow Bursitis?

Elbow bursitis is the inflammation of the thin, fluid-filled sac at the tip of your elbow called the olecranon bursa, whose goal it is to help protect your elbow joint.

What Causes Elbow Bursitis?

There are numerous potential cases of elbow bursitis. Usually it’s caused by an elbow injury, extended overuse of your elbow, repetitive movements of your elbow, or continued pressure placed on your elbow.

In other cases, elbow bursitis may be triggered by other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infection, bone spurs in the elbow, or gout. An open wound, like a cut in the bursa, can also lead to elbow bursitis.

Those working in certain fields are more prone to elbow bursitis. This includes painters, gardeners, carpenters, or those who play certain sports professionally, like tennis or golf.

Symptoms to Look Out for

Here are some of the potential symptoms that may point to elbow bursitis.

Swelling

Swelling or inflammation is one of the most common symptoms in those diagnosed with the elbow joint condition. Due to how much swelling the area may have, the tip of your elbow may look like a lump.

Resting and elevating the area, applying ice to your elbow, or using a light compression wrap may help ease some of the swelling caused by elbow bursitis. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines may also take down some of the inflammation.

Pain or Tenderness

Elbow bursitis can be tender or painful for the sufferer. Some may experience deep, throbbing pain from the start. Others may only or mostly notice pain when they bend their arm or apply pressure to their elbow. Pain can range from mild to intense, sharp pain.

While the pain and tenderness will take some time to alleviate, there are some things you can do to make it better. Applying ice to the area every few hours for the first couple of days can numb some of the pain. Once the swelling goes down, you can apply a warm compress to further help with the pain. An over-the-counter pain reliever may also help.

Restricted Movement

One of the hardest parts of dealing with elbow bursitis is having a limited range of motion in the affected arm. Swelling may make it harder to bend your elbow, while the pain may make you want to resist moving it.

This can make day-to-day activities significantly more difficult, such as washing your hair, moving a shopping cart around a store, driving a car, or typing on a computer. To make these situations more manageable, ice your elbow before and after an activity. A compression wrap, bandage, or cushion may also help when needing to move or apply pressure to your elbow.

Warm to the Touch

It’s not uncommon for an elbow with bursitis to experience a warm feeling when you touch it. This warm sensation is caused by the body sending more blood flow to the injured area to aid with the healing process. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s your body’s way of trying to heal itself.

However, be sure to pay close attention to make sure the warmth sensation of your elbow isn’t spreading or getting more intense. This can signify that the condition is worsening. Otherwise, continue resting your affected elbow and icing it down daily.

Redness

You may notice that the tip of your elbow has localized redness. This is a common symptom in many elbow bursitis cases. Typically, the redness will last a few days before disappearing. In the meantime, you can apply ice, take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, and keep your elbow wrapped or protected with a cushion or pad.

If the affected area is becoming darker red, the redness is spreading, or if you’re also experiencing symptoms like a fever or drainage from the elbow, it may be more than just regular elbow bursitis.

Signs of an Infection

While relatively rare, if your elbow bursitis leads to an infection, known as septic bursitis, you may experience a fever or chills, flu-like symptoms, general fatigue, or have pus or liquid oozing from your elbow. In this situation, it’s imperative to get help from a doctor right away.

If you’re experiencing septic bursitis, refrain from draining the area on your own. Until you’re able to get to the doctor, be sure to keep your elbow well-rested, clean, and don’t partake in any activities or movements that may worsen the condition.

Keep in mind that if you have some or all of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you have elbow bursitis for certain. There are other conditions whose symptoms may overlap or seem similar, like tennis elbow. Either way, a medical doctor can provide the proper diagnosis.

Elbow Bursitis Treatment

Whether your elbow bursitis is infected or not, and how severe it is, can impact the type of treatment you may require.

In non-infected cases of elbow bursitis, a doctor will likely drain the area with a medical-grade needle. If the inflammation is particularly bad or isn’t improving on its own over time, they may inject corticosteroids into the area.

As for infected elbow bursitis cases, a doctor will usually drain the fluid, provide an antibiotic – either in pill or IV form, or in rare cases, have you undergo surgery if your bursitis doesn’t go away or keeps returning.

Conclusion

Anyone can develop elbow bursitis at any time. While your specific elbow woes may not point towards elbow bursitis, it’s important to consider it a possibility. Now that you’re more familiar with this common condition and its symptoms, it will be easier for you to indicate if this may be something you’re dealing with and what the treatment may entail.