What is olecranon bursitis?
Olecranon bursitis is the painful inflammation and swelling of the olecranon bursa at the tip of the back of the elbow. A bursa is a small fluid filled sac that forms around joints in areas where there is a lot of friction between muscles, tendons and outcrops of bone. The bursae position themselves in between the tendon or muscle and the bone buffering any friction from movement. To picture a bursa think of it as a very small, water filled balloon that sits in places where things rub against each other, such as between a tendon and a bone, to provide a soft smooth cushion for the tendon to pass over painlessly. The covering of the bursa also acts as a lubricant and aids the tendon’s movement. It is estimated that there are over 150 bursae in your body which protect joints and tendons from wear. They are all very small and unnoticeable until they become swollen and painful with bursitis.
The elbow joint itself is formed by the union of the far end of the humerus (the upper arm bone) and the radius and ulna (the forearm bones). At the end of the ulna the olecranon process hooks into the back of the humerus creating what is known as a hinge joint, named as such as it only moves in flexion and extension. The olecranon bursa lies over the top of the olecranon process separating it from the triceps tendon which attaches at the back of elbow and is responsible for straightening the arm.
Why & when does olecranon bursitis happen?
Olecranon bursitis can be caused through injury, infection or it can be triggered by certain health conditions. If bursitis develops as a result of injury then it will normally be due to a repetitive strenuous activity that encourages the triceps muscle and tendon to tighten and shorten from overuse. An example of this is repetitively pushing heavy objects, straightening the arm against pressure or leaning heavily on the elbow. This puts more pressure over the bursa as the tendon rubs more tightly over it, irritating it and triggering a painful inflammatory reaction (swelling). This risk of developing bursitis in this way is greater in those whose jobs or hobbies involve a lot of repetitive pushing movements, for example carpet fitters and gardeners who spend a lot of time kneeling and so are more at risk of bursitis in the knee. Likewise runners have a greater likelihood of developing bursitis in the hip. Bursitis can also be brought on by excessive pressure or direct impact trauma such as banging your elbow or dropping on to your knees. Infection is a less common cause of bursitis and normally only occurs in people who have a weakened immune system from other health issues. The infection can work its way to the bursa from a cut close to the bursa that has become infected. In these cases the bursitis is termed as septic bursitis. Certain health conditions can also trigger the development of bursitis such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, amongst others.
What does olecranon bursitis feel like?
The symptoms of bursitis vary depending on whether it is the result of injury or an underlying health condition or from infection. From normal overuse and injury the pain is normally a constant dull ache or burning pain at the back of the elbow that is aggravated by any touch, pressure or movement of the joint. There will normally be notable swelling around the back of the elbow, in other cases where the bursa lies deep under the skin like in the hip or shoulder swelling might not be visible. Movement of the elbow joint will be stiff especially in the mornings and after any activity involving the elbow. All of these symptoms are experienced with septic bursitis, with the addition of a high temperature of 38ºC or over and feverish chills. The skin around the affected joint will also appear to be red and will feel incredibly warm to the touch.
In cases of septic bursitis it is important that you seek medical attention. With injury induced bursitis if symptoms are still persisting after two weeks then report to your GP.
How long does olecranon bursitis take to heal?
The healing time of olecranon bursitis can vary from two to eight weeks and in some cases even longer than that. It depends on the severity of the injury or the location, for example if the bursitis happens near a joint that can be rested easily, the healing time will be greatly reduced. On the other hand, if it is in a joint that is regularly used, such as the elbow then this perpetuates and flares the condition making healing a more lengthy process.
How will olecranon bursitis be diagnosed?
Your GP or therapist will be able to diagnose you by both listening to your history and examining you. No X-rays or further investigation should be needed to confirm diagnosis but may be requested to check for any underlying health conditions that may have triggered the bursitis.
What treatment options are available for olecranon bursitis?
Your GP may prescribe a short course of anti-inflammatory painkillers to reduce and control the painful inflammation that occurs and antibiotics in cases of septic bursitis. Applying a covered ice pack to the area after the initial injury may also significantly hasten the healing process by reducing the pain and swelling. Please make sure the ice pack is covered to prevent any ice burn and for best results use the icepack regularly for 10-15 minutes with intervals of 30 minutes. Where possible it is advisable to avoid all aggravating movements and postures, however complete rest is not advised as this can lead to weakness and further shortening of the muscle. Massage and manipulative therapies can help loosen the surrounding muscles and tendons of the affected joint, reducing the pressure over the bursa and allowing it to heal faster. If the bursitis is chronic and not responding to treatment then your GP may refer you for a corticosteroid injection which will reduce the inflammation levels and will in turn reduce the pain levels experienced. Corticosteroid injections can have varied results. Surgery is a rare option when it comes to bursitis but occasionally it may be necessary in extremely chronic cases or to drain an infected bursa.
The underlying cause of the bursitis must be identified to prevent further reoccurrences. Failure to eliminate the cause may lead to future flare ups and a poor and slow recovery. Future occurrences can be prevented with the use of stretches and strengthening exercises which will help prevent your muscles from tightening up over the bursa. Pilates and yoga are very good for this providing the aggravating movements are avoided. Wearing joint supports such as knee pads or elbow supports may also reduce your likelihood of redeveloping bursitis.