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What is olecranon bursitis
Olecranon bursitis — inflammation of the synovial bursa located over the olecranon process. The bursa facilitates skin gliding over the bony prominence. During inflammation, it fills with fluid, forming a characteristic "lump" on the posterior surface of the elbow.
Causes
Mechanical irritation (chronic)
Prolonged leaning on elbows at a desk, while driving, in plumbers, tilers. "Student's elbow," "plumber's elbow." Chronic pressure causes bursa inflammation.
Trauma
Direct blow to the elbow, fall. Hemorrhage into the bursa (hemorrhagic bursitis). May be complicated by infection.
Infectious (septic) bursitis
Bacterial entry through skin microtrauma. Staphylococcus aureus — in 80% of cases. Elbow is red, hot, painful. Fever. Requires antibiotic therapy, sometimes drainage.
Systemic diseases
Gout (uric acid crystal deposition), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis. Bursitis may be the first manifestation of systemic disease.
Diagnosis
Clinical presentation
Soft fluctuant swelling over the olecranon. In aseptic bursitis — painless or moderately painful. In septic — red, hot, sharply painful.
Ultrasound
Determines fluid volume, bursa wall thickness, presence of septations, fibrin bodies. Differentiates serous, hemorrhagic, and purulent effusion.
Aspiration (if necessary)
To rule out infection: culture, cytology, crystals (gout). Clear fluid — aseptic. Cloudy/purulent — septic. Bloody — hemorrhagic.
X-ray
To rule out olecranon osteophyte, fracture, calcifications in the bursa.
Problems with traditional treatment
Aspirations
Fluid aspiration provides temporary effect. Fluid reaccumulates in 50-70% of cases. Each aspiration — infection risk.
Cortisone
Cortisone injection into the bursa: effect 2-4 weeks. Repeated injections thin the skin over the elbow, increase infection risk and bursa rupture.
Bursectomy (surgery)
Surgical bursa removal. High complication rate: poor wound healing (15-20%), infection, chronic pain, recurrence. Prolonged rehabilitation.
Treatment of bursitis using a regenerative method
Regenerative treatment restores the normal synovial membrane of the bursa, eliminating the cause of recurrent effusion.
1. Aspiration of effusion
Under ultrasound guidance, inflammatory fluid is removed from the bursa.
2. CGF injection
CGF is injected into the bursa cavity. Growth factors suppress inflammation, stimulate regeneration of the synovial membrane, and normalize synovial fluid production.
3. Result
The bursa wall restores normal structure, excess fluid production stops. Recurrences — less than 5% (vs 50-70% with standard aspirations).
Clinic and method matching — free of charge
Describe your case and attach your MRI report. We will identify clinics that use the relevant methods and forward your request to them. No obligation; we reply within two working days.
Send a requestQuestions about elbow bursitis
Aseptic bursitis is not dangerous but uncomfortable. Septic (infectious) bursitis requires urgent antibiotic treatment. Signs: redness, warmth, severe pain, fever.
Mild acute bursitis may subside by eliminating the cause (stopping pressure on the elbow). Chronic bursitis will not, as the bursa walls are already thickened and continue producing fluid.
Aspiration removes the consequence (fluid) but not the cause (inflamed synovial membrane). Regenerative treatment regenerates the membrane, normalizing fluid production.
Surgery (bursectomy) is a last resort when conservative treatment fails. It has a high complication rate (15-20%). Regenerative treatment is an effective alternative to surgery.
Clinic and method matching — free of charge
Describe your case and attach your MRI report. We will identify clinics that use the relevant methods and forward your request to them. No obligation; we reply within two working days.
Send a request