Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa (synovial fluid bag that prevents friction between muscles, tendons and bones of the joint and acts as a buffer). The elbow bursa is located between the skin and the pointy bone from the back of the elbow (called olecranon). In the normal state is seen. When ignited produces pain and limiting movement.
Causes
- Trauma: A blow to the tip of the elbow can cause the bursa to produce excess fluid and swell.
- Prolonged pressure: If we support the point of the elbow on hard surfaces for a long time, the bursa may swell.
- Infection: A wound on the tip of the elbow, a scratch or insect bite, can cause bacteria to enter the bursa and cause an infection. The infected bursa produces fluid, redness, swelling and pain. If the infection is not treated, the liquid can be converted into pus. Sometimes the infected bursa without any injury is observed in the skin.
- Diseases: Certain diseases, as rheumatoid arthritis la la drop, are associated with elbow bursitis.
Symptoms
In many instances, the first sign of bursitis is inflammation of the elbow. The greater the higher swelling causes pain, even to limit movement of the elbow.
When the bursa becomes infected you can see redness and heating of the overlying skin. If the infection is not treated early, can spread to other parts of the arm or into the bloodstream, which could lead to serious illness. Sometimes, infected bursa is opened spontaneously and drained the pus.
Treatments
Nonsurgical Treatments
- Antibiotics: If the bursitis is an infection, can be sucked or remove fluid from the bag with a needle. The fluid removal helps relieve symptoms and the sample can be analyzed in the laboratory in order to recommend a specific antibiotic. In order to prevent progression of the infection can be administered antibiotics.
- Case: When it is not an infectious bursitis, elbow pads are recommended, to cushion the elbow contact with other elements, and avoid activities that cause direct pressure on the inflamed elbow.
- Analgesics: To reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms may be given anti-inflammatory.
- Corticosteroids: If the pain and swelling do not go away, can remove fluid and inject a corticosteroid.
Surgical Treatment
- It is the result of an infection or not, if the bursitis does not improve with medication or fluid removal elbow, is sometimes necessary to resort to surgery to remove the bursa. This process requires hospitalization. Over time the bursa grows back normally.