Elbow Bursitis

What is Elbow Bursitis

Elbow bursitis, also called olecranon bursitis, happens over your elbow.

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that covers and protects a joint. Bursitis is when the fluid-filled sac gets puffy and sore (inflamed). This may be caused by:

• Injury (acute trauma) to your elbow.
• Leaning on hard surfaces for long periods of time.
• Infection from an injury that breaks the skin near your elbow.
• A bone growth (spur) that forms at the tip of your elbow.
• A medical condition that causes inflammation in your body, such as:
  • Gout.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.

Sometimes the cause is not known.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, finish all of it even if you start to feel better.
• If your bursitis is caused by an injury, rest your elbow and wear your bandage as told by your doctor. You may also apply ice to the injured area as told by your doctor:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Do notdo any activities that cause pain to your elbow.
• Use elbow pads or wraps to cushion your elbow.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have a fever.
• Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
• Your pain or swelling gets worse.
• Your pain or swelling goes away and then comes back.
• You have drainage of pus from the swollen area over your elbow.

Elbow Bursitis Rehabilitation

Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. It is normal to feel mild stretching, pulling, tightness, or discomfort as you do these exercises, but you should stop right away if you feel sudden pain or your pain gets worse. Do notbegin these exercises until told by your health care provider.

Stretching and range of motion exercises

These exercises warm up your muscles and joints and improve the movement and flexibility of your elbow. These exercises also help to relieve pain and swelling.

Exercise A: Passive elbow flexion

1. Lie on your back.
2. Extend your left / right arm up into the air, bracing it with your other hand. Allow your left / right arm to relax.
3. Let your left / right elbow bend, allowing your hand to fall slowly toward your chest. You should feel a gentle stretch along the back of your upper arm and elbow.
4. If told by your health care provider, hold a __________ hand weight to increase the intensity of this stretch.
5. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
6. Slowly return your left / right arm to the upright position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise B: Passive elbow extension

1. Lie on your back on a firm bed. Make sure that you are in a comfortable position that allows you relax your arm muscles.
2. Place a folded towel under your left / right upper arm so that your elbow and shoulder are at the same height.
3. Extend your left / right arm so your elbow and hand do not rest on the bed or towel.
4. Let the weight of your hand straighten your elbow. Keep your arm and chest muscles relaxed. You should feel a stretch on the inside of your elbow.
5. If told by your health care provider, increase the intensity of your stretch by adding a small wrist weight or hand weight.
6. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
7. Slowly return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Strengthening exercises

These exercises build strength and endurance in your elbow. Endurance is the ability to use your muscles for a long time, even after they get tired.

Exercise C: Elbow extensors, isometric

1. Stand or sit upright on a firm surface.
2. Place your left / right arm so your palm faces your abdomen, at the height of your waist.
3. Place your other hand on the underside of your forearm. Slowly push your left / right arm down, like you were going to straighten your elbow. Resist with your other hand. Push as hard as you can without causing any pain or movement at your left / right elbow.
4. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
5. Slowly release the tension in both arms.
6. Let your muscles relax completely before repeating.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise D: Elbow flexors, isometric

1. Stand or sit upright on a firm surface.
2. Place your left / right arm so your hand is palm-up, at the height of your waist.
3. Place your other hand on top of your forearm. Gently push up with your left / right arm, like you were going to bend your elbow. Resist this motion with your other hand. Push as hard as you can without causing any pain or movement at your left / right elbow.
4. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
5. Slowly release the tension in both arms.
6. Let your muscles relax completely before repeating.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.