What is Olecranon?
The olecranon is the name of the protrusion of one of the forearm bones (ulna) behind the elbow. It is the pointy bony prominence you feel behind your elbow when the elbow is bent.
What is Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis?
Bursa tissues are fluid-filled sacs in our body that are located in the close vicinity of our joints and have the functions of protecting our joints. Bursas absorb the shock at the time of trauma and prevent damage to the joint, you can think of it like airbags in cars.
Bursitis is a condition that shows symptoms when these tissues swell for some reason and cause pain. Normally, the fluid inside the bursa tissues cannot be detected. In the case of bursitis, the fluid in the sac increases and causes pain.
The olecranon bursa is a normal thin sac of fluid that lies between the skin and the olecranon bony prominence behind the elbow joint. It helps the skin glide smoothly over the bone. Normally, this sac contains a very small amount of fluid. In olecranon bursitis, there is swelling in this area of the elbow that can be seen even from the outside.
What Causes Olecranon Bursitis?
Olecranon bursitis can have many causes. The most common cause is trauma caused by hitting your elbow with a hard object or by falling hard on your elbow.
MPeople who constantly put their elbows on a hard surface due to their profession, deteriorate the structure of the bursa tissue over time due to repetitive injury to the bursa tissue, the bursa tissue becomes irritated and the bursa thickens. As a result of this chronic irritation, olecranon bursitis develops.
The best example of this situation is bursitis, which occurs due to the rigidity of the armrests on which they rest their elbows while driving for a long time, as in taxi drivers.
What Does Infected Olecranon Bursitis Mean?
When olecranon bursitis occurs, microorganisms such as bacteria that sometimes enter through the skin inflame the olecranon sac. This is called infected olecranon bursitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Olecranon Bursitis in the Elbow?
Swelling:The first sign of olecranon bursitis is swelling. It often occurs suddenly. Gradual growth of swelling can also be seen over time. It may vary in size, and swelling may occur in sizes ranging from a small swelling to the size of a ping pong ball. Most patients may mistake the swelling in the elbow as a mass and be concerned.
Pain:Most patients with olecranon bursitis do not have pain. If it is painful, it should be investigated in terms of bursitis due to infection.
Erythema:In infectious bursitis, there is redness of the skin along with the pain.
How is Olecranon Bursitis in the Elbow Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of olecranon bursitis can be made with a detailed history and physical examination. X-rays may be requested to understand whether there is a fracture in the bone in post-traumatic bursitis. X-ray also determines whether there are calcium deposits in the bursa.
If infectious olecranon bursitis is suspected, laboratory tests such as culture and antibiogram (detection of the bacteria causing the infection and which antibiotic it is sensitive to) are requested.
Treatment of Olecranon Bursitis in the Elbow
Non-Surgical Treatment
The first thing to do is to avoid movements that irritate the olecranon area of your elbow and protect it. You can protect it with the use of armrests.
You can take painkillers by consulting your doctor.
Injection Under Ultrasound in Olecranon Bursitis
If the swelling persists, after 4-6 weeks, if the swelling and discomfort do not go away with the measures I have described above, fluid is taken from the olecranon bursa with a needle under ultrasound and cortisol is injected into the bursa. In most patients, bursitis does not recur with cortisol injections.
Who Can Have Olecranon Bursitis Surgery?
If olecranon bursitis recurs as a result of cortisol administration, surgery is considered.
How is Olecranon Bursitis Surgery Performed?
Surgery for olecranon bursitis aims to remove the olecranon bursa. Since the olecranon bursa is under the skin, it is easy to access in surgery. The surgical wound is covered with simple dressing and elastic bandage. Patients who have surgery to remove the olecranon bursa are discharged on the same day. There is no need to fix the joint with splint and plaster.
What is the Recovery Process After the Surgery of Olecranon Bursitis?
The incision heals after 10-14 days. Full use of elbow movements is allowed 3-4 days after surgery. It returns to normal 1 month after the operation. Physiotherapy is not needed.
