Elbow Bursitis

Hip & Knee Specialists - Lowcountry Orthopaedics, Charleston, SC

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As premier hip and knee replacement surgeons in Charleston, SC, Dr. Zimlich and Dr. Stem alleviate patient pain and discomfort using innovative techniques and technologies. Concentrating exclusively on knee and hip replacement, the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists operate at the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Surgery Center and area hospitals per patient preference.

Top rated for eight years in a row as Charleston’s Choice for best orthopedic surgeons, countless of satisfied patients walk away with a pain free, natural feeling knee or hip. From custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing to the area’s first and only outpatient surgery center based robotic knee replacement program, patients trust Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists.

Signature services include:

  • Custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing
  • Same day robotic knee replacement program
  • Personalized joint replacement experience
  • Dedicated team of nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists
  • Proven outcomes for quick recovery and pain-free lives

Same day appointments are available at one of our convenient North Charleston, Summerville, or Daniel Island locations.

Symptoms

Swelling is often the first symptom. The skin on the back of the elbow is loose, which means that a small amount of swelling may not be noticed right away. As the swelling continues, the bursa begins to stretch, which causes pain. The pain often worsens with direct pressure on the elbow or with bending the elbow. The swelling may grow large enough to restrict elbow motion.

If the bursitis is infected, the skin becomes red and warm. If the infection is not treated right away, it may spread to other parts of the arm or move into the bloodstream. This can cause serious illness. Occasionally, an infected bursa will open spontaneously and drain pus.

Causes

Trama

A hard blow to the tip of the elbow can cause the bursa to produce excess fluid and swell.

Prolonged Pressure

Leaning on the tip of the elbow for long periods of time on hard surfaces, such as a tabletop, may cause the bursa to swell. Typically, this type of bursitis develops over several months.

People in certain occupations are especially vulnerable, particularly plumbers or heating and air conditioning technicians who have to crawl on their knees in tight spaces and lean on their elbows.

Infection

If an injury at the tip of the elbow breaks the skin, such as an insect bite, scrape, or puncture wound, bacteria may get inside the bursa sac and cause an infection. The infected bursa produces fluid, redness, swelling, and pain. If the infection goes untreated, the fluid may turn to pus.

Occasionally, the bursa sac may become infected without an obvious injury to the skin.

Medical Conditions

Certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, are associated with elbow bursitis.

Nonsurgical Treatment

If your doctor suspects that bursitis is due to an infection, he or she may recommend aspirating (removing the fluid from) the bursa with a needle. This is commonly performed as an office procedure. Fluid removal helps relieve symptoms and gives your doctor a sample that can be looked at in a laboratory to identify if any bacteria are growing. This also lets your doctor know if a specific antibiotic is needed to fight the infection.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before the exact type of infection is identified. This is done to prevent the infection from progressing. The antibiotic that your doctor prescribes at this point will treat a number of possible infections.

If the bursitis is not from an infection, it is treated with a number of options.

* Elbow pads. An elbow pad may be used to cushion your elbow.

Activity changes. Avoid activities that cause direct pressure to your swollen elbow.
Medications. Oral medications such as ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories may be used to reduce swelling and relieve your symptoms.
If swelling and pain do not respond to these measures after 3 to 4 weeks, your doctor may recommend removing fluid from the bursa and injecting a corticosteroid medication into the bursa. The steroid medication is an anti-inflammatory drug that is stronger than the medication that can be taken by mouth. Corticosteroid injections usually work well to relieve pain and swelling. However, symptoms can return.

Your doctor may remove fluid from the swollen bursa to check for infection, or to prepare the bursa for a corticosteroid injection.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery for infected bursa. If the bursa is infected and it does not improve with antibiotics or by removing fluid from the elbow, surgery to remove the entire bursa may be needed. This is often an inpatient procedure, meaning you will need to stay overnight in the hospital. This surgery may be combined with further use of oral or intravenous antibiotics.

The bursa usually grows back as a non-inflamed, normally functioning bursa over a period of several months.

Surgery for noninfected bursa. If elbow bursitis is not a result of infection, surgery may still be needed if nonsurgical treatments do not work. In this case, surgery to remove the bursa is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgery does not disturb any muscle, ligament, or joint structures.

Recovery

Your doctor will apply a splint to your arm after the procedure to protect your skin. In most cases, casts or prolonged immobilization are not necessary.

Although formal physical therapy after surgery is not usually needed, your doctor will recommend specific exercises to improve your range of motion. These are typically permitted within a few days of the surgery.

Your skin should be well healed within 10 to 14 days after the surgery, and after 3 to 4 weeks, your doctor may allow you to fully use your elbow. Your elbow may need to be padded or protected for several months to prevent reinjury.

Lowcountry Orthopaedics’ Sports Medicine Team

James Spearman, MD

James Spearman, MD

Sports Medicine

David Jaskwhich, MD

David Jaskwhich, MD

Sports Medicine

Adam Schaaf, MD

Adam Schaaf, MD

Sports Medicine

David Johannesmeyer, MD

David Johannesmeyer, MD

Sports Medicine

Justin Runey, PA-C

Justin Runey, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Marty Covington, PA-C

Marty Covington, PA-C

Physician Assistant

John Swinton, PA-C

John Swinton, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Hip & Knee Specialists

Fast forward to feeling better with Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine’s board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons that specialize in joint reconstruction and hip and knee surgery.

Same Day Appointments

Same-Day Joint Replacement

The benefits of same-day total hip or knee replacement surgery include fast recovery, lower risk of infection, no risk of hospital-acquired illness, cost reduction, and increased patient satisfaction. Patients interested in same-day joint surgery should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Zimlich to review their medical profile for candidacy.

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