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Inflammation or infection of the bursa causing pain and swelling in the elbow
Bursitis can occur in any joint, but it is most common in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees.
In the elbow, the bursa sits between the pointy part of your elbow (the olecranon) and the skin and soft tissue of your elbow. When the bursa becomes inflamed and fills with fluid it causes a condition called olecranon bursitis.
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private elbow bursitis treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what elbow bursitis is, what the symptoms of elbow bursitis are, what causes it, and what treatments are available.
Symptoms of elbow bursitis include:
Elbow bursitis can have several causes including:
Your consultant will probably order an X-ray to check for bone spurs (bony projections that form on the ends of bones). Bone spurs are a common cause of elbow bursitis.
A small sample of fluid may be taken from your elbow to check whether the bursitis is caused by infection or gout.
In some cases, your consultant may order additional tests like an MRI, ultrasound, or blood test to confirm your diagnosis or rule out an alternative cause.
Once a diagnosis is made, your consultant will recommend the best treatment for you based on individual factors including your diagnosis, general health, lifestyle, preferences, and expectations for treatment.
At Circle Health Group we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please ask any questions, or discuss any concerns you may have with your consultant at this time. It's a good idea to write down any questions you have before your consultation.
If the fluid in the bursa is infected, this is known as septic bursitis. Symptoms of septic bursitis are similar to non-infectious bursitis, but you may also experience fever, fatigue, redness, and warmth over the elbow joint and feel generally unwell. If left untreated septic bursitis can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body causing serious illness.
If your consultant suspects that you have septic bursitis, they may use a needle and syringe to remove fluid from your elbow. The fluid is then sent to a laboratory to see if there are bacteria present. Septic bursitis is treated with antibiotics.
If there is no infection present, non-surgical treatments are normally the first choice for treating elbow bursitis.
Non-surgical treatments for elbow bursitis include:
Most bursitis resolves with non-surgical treatments, but in rare cases, surgery may be necessary.
Surgery is normally only considered if you have had symptoms of bursitis for six to 12 months and have tried non-surgical treatments without success.
The surgical procedure for elbow bursitis is called an olecranon bursectomy and involves removing the entire bursa. A healthy bursa normally grows back over a few months.
Most cases of bursitis resolve with non-surgical treatment in around three to six weeks. Everyone's recovery is different and it's important to go at your own pace while recovering from bursitis. Trying to do too much and ignoring symptoms such as pain and swelling may delay your recovery and make your symptoms worse. If your symptoms don't improve after around four weeks of non-surgical treatment, speak to your consultant.
After your surgery, you will have a dressing and a splint on your arm and elbow to protect your skin while it heals. You may be given a sling to wear for two weeks after surgery. Your consultant or physiotherapist may show you some exercises to improve your muscle strength and range of motion after surgery.
You can normally resume light activities after around two weeks and heavy lifting after around six weeks. If you have a job, or hobby that involves repetitive pressure or movement of your elbows, you may need to wait up to twelve weeks before resuming this activity.
For non-infective bursitis, surgery is normally done as an outpatient meaning you can go home the same day.
If you have septic bursitis, you may need to spend one night in hospital
You will not be able to drive yourself home from hospital after your surgery. You can either make arrangements for someone to collect you, or we can arrange a taxi if you prefer.
When you can return to work after surgery depends on your individual recovery and the type of work you do. In most cases, you can return to work around five to seven days after your surgery. Speak to your consultant about when you can expect to go back to work.
On average you can drive around two weeks after your surgery, but this depends on your recovery and is different for everyone. Speak to your consultant about when you can expect to drive after your surgery.
Once you have recovered from bursitis, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from coming back.
Some things you can do to prevent a recurrence of bursitis include:
No. Never attempt to drain the fluid in your elbow yourself. Doing so does not treat the cause of your bursitis and the fluid will likely build up again. In some cases, a severe infection could result from trying to drain your elbow bursitis yourself.
With treatment, bursitis normally gets better in around three to six weeks.
Wrapping your elbow in an elastic bandage may help relieve swelling caused by elbow bursitis. Always check with your consultant before trying any at-home treatment and ask your consultant or physiotherapist to show you how to wrap your elbow correctly.
If you have septic bursitis the infection can spread to the bloodstream or other parts of the body causing serious illness.
Symptoms of septic bursitis include pain, swelling, heat, and redness around the elbow joint, a high temperature, and feeling tired or generally unwell. If you have symptoms of septic bursitis, seek immediate medical attention.
If left untreated bursitis can get worse and cause problems such as increased pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your elbow. Infected (septic) bursitis can spread to the bloodstream or nearby tissues causing a serious condition called sepsis that may be life-threatening.
Yes. Elbow bursitis is normally painful. As the bursa becomes inflamed, swells up, and fills with fluid, it puts pressure on the surrounding tissues and causes pain in the elbow joint.
One of the first signs of elbow bursitis is swelling at the back of the elbow joint. It may look like a golf ball at the back of your elbow. The skin around the joint may appear red, though this may be harder to see on brown or black skin.
Yes. Sometimes the inflamed bursa can burst. If the bursa is infected, the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing serious illness.
Without treatment, elbow bursitis can get worse and cause long-term problems like increased swelling, pain, and reduced range of motion. In the case of septic bursitis, the infection can spread and cause a condition called sepsis that may be life-threatening.
Most cases of elbow bursitis get better within three to six weeks of at-home treatment.
If you have symptoms of elbow bursitis, make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment.
Symptoms of infected (septic) elbow bursitis include:
Septic bursitis can lead to serious illness and may be life-threatening. If you have symptoms of septic bursitis, seek immediate medical attention.
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about elbow bursitis treatment, book your appointment online or call a member of our team directly.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in March 2023. Next review due March 2026.