Olecranon Bursitis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Overview

The olecranon bursa, a small, thin, fluid-filled sac, is situated at the tip of the elbow, overlying the olecranon process. Bursae are distributed throughout the body and serve a critical function in minimizing friction between bones and surrounding soft tissues during movement.

 Olecranon bursitis arises when this specific bursa becomes inflamed or swollen, increasing pressure within the elbow region. As a result, affected individuals commonly experience localized pain, tenderness, and discomfort, often accompanied by restricted motion, particularly during activities that involve bending or leaning on the elbow.

What causes Olecranon Bursitis?

Olecranon bursitis typically develops due to direct trauma to the posterior aspect of the elbow, leading to fluid accumulation and swelling within the bursa. Repetitive stress or prolonged pressure on the elbow can also contribute to its development.

• How the Injury Occurs: The bursa becomes inflamed when subjected to repeated friction, impact, or pressure, resulting in localized swelling, pain, and reduced mobility.
• Common Everyday Causes: 
  • Office workers resting their elbows on hard desks for prolonged periods.
  • Tradespeople like plumbers or carpenters who frequently lean on their elbows during work.
  • Individuals recovering from elbow fractures or other trauma where swelling persists.
• Office workers resting their elbows on hard desks for prolonged periods.

Individuals at Higher Risk:

• Contact Sport Athletes (e.g., football players): Frequent impacts increase the likelihood of bursae trauma and swelling.
• Athletes Who Land on Elbows (e.g., volleyball players): Repeated falls or dives onto hard surfaces can irritate the bursa over time.
• Those Engaging in Repetitive Motions (e.g., baseball pitchers): Continuous flexion and extension place stress on the elbow, promoting inflammation.

Elbow bursitis is common in these sports:

• Football: Frequent tackles and impacts can traumatize the elbow, leading to inflammation of the bursa.
• Lacrosse: Collisions and falls during play place repeated stress on the elbow bursa.
• Baseball: Repetitive throwing motions strain the elbow, increasing susceptibility to bursitis.
• Basketball: Falling or landing on the elbow during play can irritate the bursa.
• Volleyball: Dives and repetitive elbow contact with the floor contribute to inflammation.
• Wrestling: Constant pressure and direct blows to the elbow during grappling elevate bursitis risk.

Symptoms

The most prominent symptom of elbow bursitis is localized swelling over the elbow tip. In cases related to chronic conditions, such as repetitive motion, it may develop gradually over time. Conversely, swelling following an acute injury often appears rapidly and can range from mild to severe.

The surrounding structures of the elbow joint generally remain unaffected. However, as the inflamed bursa enlarges, it exerts pressure on adjacent tissues, resulting in pain. This discomfort typically worsens with activity, direct pressure, or during elbow flexion and extension.

Non-operative treatment

If your doctor suspects your bursitis is caused by infection, they may want to aspirate the bursa or remove fluid using a thin needle. Removing the fluid will help alleviate the symptoms. Testing the fluid can help determine if an antibiotic is needed to treat elbow bursitis. If the bursitis is not due to infection then the following treatment is recommended.

• Rest: It is important to relieve pressure on the elbow to allow the bursae to heal. Athletes, particularly those who play high-impact sports, should discontinue activities that aggravate their elbow. An elbow pad may be helpful to protect the elbow.
• Ice: To help reduce swelling, apply ice packs to your elbow three to four times a day for 20 minutes.
• Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help alleviate symptoms.
• Aspiration: Even if your bursa does not seem infected, your physician may aspirate it (remove the fluid with a needle) to resolve the problem more quickly.

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Olecranon Bursitis

Surgical Treatment

Surgical intervention for olecranon bursitis is uncommon and generally considered only when conservative treatment methods fail to relieve symptoms. In such cases, a physician may recommend excision of the inflamed bursa to prevent recurrent swelling, persistent pain, or functional limitations. Surgery is typically reserved for chronic , severe bursitis or septic bursitis that does not respond to rest, medications, or other non-invasive therapies.