Our Therapies for Elbow Bursitis: Find Relief and Improve Mobility

Good news: If you’ve been dealing with the pain and swelling of bursitis, we have some very simple, yet effective, therapies for elbow bursitis that can resolve your problem, giving you the freedom to return to your regular tasks and even improve mobility. Many of them are as simple as over-the-counter medicine or physical therapy.

Our leading orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh are experts at treating conditions related to the elbow and in this article, we’ll provide detailed information on our therapies for elbow bursitis as we further explore this condition.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have extensive choices about where you can receive care? With Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, you can have your procedure performed at one of several facilities in the area. We’re able to offer this because we are an independently-owned practice—giving you more options. If you’re having elbow, shoulder or wrist pain, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us so we can get to the heart of what is causing your problem and offer safe, effective solutions.

Next, we’ll take a look at some simple therapies for elbow bursitis designed to provide long-lasting relief.

4 Therapies for Elbow Bursitis Relief

Modifying  Activities (and Resting Your Elbow)

Often, repetitive motions or leaning on your elbows can make the condition worse. We encourage our patients to reduce the strain on their elbows and modify their activities. If you can, take a break from these activities and give your elbow a chance to rest and recuperate.

Our physical therapists can show you how to make adjustments so you can prevent the pain from getting worse. We offer convenient, in-house physical therapy services in Raleigh by certified experts who are ready to help you get your life back on track. 

Taking Medication

Simply using NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be effective at reducing swelling. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments with you to determine if this course of action is providing enough relief. 

Splinting or Bracing

Immobilizing your elbow can give it a chance to heal. It’s particularly useful to keep your elbow straight. As a result, this will keep your skin from getting tight around your elbow when you bend it upward.

Removing Excess Bursa Fluid

Typically, we ask our patients to give the methods above around three to six weeks to see if they’re effective. If not, we may remove the excess fluid in the elbow and inject the bursa with a corticosteroid medication. 

(We go into a bit more detail about what the bursa is and its role in elbow function later in this article.)

Could Surgery Be Necessary for Bursitis in the Elbow?

Yes, it’s possible that elbow surgery may be needed—but we don’t consider surgery unless the other methods haven’t been successful. Fortunately, only a small percentage of elbow bursitis cases result in surgery. However, if you do need surgery, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh are here to help. 

We have a conservative approach to medicine; we do not operate unless we believe it is absolutely necessary. This is a decision that you will discuss with our healthcare team. 

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed choice. Remember, we’re always glad to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. 

Elbow Bursitis: A Closer, In-depth Look

To completely understand elbow bursitis (sometimes referred to as Popeye elbow), let’s take a quick look at the anatomy of your elbow and the role that the bursa plays in movement. 

What Causes Elbow Bursitis?

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac. It’s responsible for cushioning your elbow joint, ensuring that you’re able to bend it smoothly and without pain. The bursa is located at the tip of your elbow, between the bony part (called the olecranon) and the skin.

When this bursa is inflamed, the resulting bursitis causes swelling and pain.  

Many of the patients we see have bursitis caused by some type of repetitive motion or elbow arthritis. Typically, elbow bursitis and an extremely swollen elbow can be caused by:

• Putting pressure on your elbows: Leaning your elbows on a table, for example, for an extended period of time can set the stage for inflammation.
• Repetitive motions: Just as a baseball pitcher uses his elbow when throwing the ball, many professions–such as carpentry, gardening, painting or shoveling–where there are repetitive motions are among the causes of elbow bursitis.
• Certain medical conditions: If you have arthritis or bone spurs, you could develop elbow bursitis. If you do have arthritis, we encourage you to schedule an appointment if you have continual pain. Often, the cartilage that cushions your bones wears out with age, which could prompt the need for physical therapy or additional treatment.
• Trauma: A sudden accident or injury can create problems with your elbow. This can cause an extremely swollen elbow.

What are the Symptoms of Elbow Bursitis?

The symptoms of elbow bursitis can include:

• Swelling
• Pain, particularly when moving your elbow

If your elbow bursitis is caused by an infection, you may also experience discoloration and warmth.

You Don’t Have to Endure the Pain of Elbow Bursitis–Schedule an Appointment With One of Our Raleigh Orthopedic Doctors Today

Our therapies for elbow bursitis are typically simple and straightforward—however, they don’t always work with everyone. For those who need more extensive treatment, we have an in-house physical therapy team and leading, board-certified surgeons who are ready to help.

See why we are the area’s premier independently-owned orthopedic practice. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us to find relief from chronic elbow pain. 

The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.

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Sources:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine, “Elbow Olecranon Bursitis,” https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/elbow-olecranon-bursitis/ 

Cleveland Clinic, “Elbow Olecranon Bursitis,” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22553-elbow-olecranon-bursitis