Olecranon Bursitis

What is Olecranon Bursitis?

Inflammation, thickening, and abnormal fluid accumulation within the olecranon bursa. It is commonly caused by direct trauma, prolonged leaning pressure ("student's elbow"), repetitive elbow movement, or underlying inflammatory conditions.

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Clinical Symptoms

Noticeable, localized, dome-like swelling over the tip of the elbow, which may range from painless fluid buildup to a tender, warm, and erythematous (red) mass. You might experience discomfort, tightness when flexing the arm fully, or pain when placing direct pressure on the bony point of the elbow.

Treatment

Conservative measures including joint rest, activity modification, compression, and protective elbow padding to avoid direct pressure. For persistent, non-infected (aseptic) bursitis, ultrasound-guided aspiration of excess bursal fluid is performed, followed by a targeted corticosteroid and local anesthetic injection to rapidly suppress the inflammatory lining and prevent fluid recurrence.

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Medical Resource: 

For further clinical guidelines on Olecranon Bursitis view the official NHS Olecranon Bursitis Resource

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