Acute Olecranon Bursitis

Aka: Acute Olecranon Bursitis, Olecranon Bursitis, Miner's Elbow, Student's Elbow, Draftsman's Elbow

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II. Mechanism

  1. Olecranon bursa overlies olecranon process
  2. Causes of Acute Olecranon Bursitis
    1. Direct Trauma (often repetitive)
    2. Hemodialysis patients in arm with fistula (likely due to Dialysis arm suppport)
    3. Rheumatoid Arthritis
    4. Gout
    5. Pseudogout

III. Signs

  1. Swelling over olecranon tip (usually painless, non-tender)
    1. No redness, warmth, limited range of motion or other signs of Septic Olecranon Bursitis
  2. Bursa sac fills with blood or clear fluid

IV. Differential Diagnosis

  1. Chronic Olecranon Bursitis
  2. Olecranon Bursa Infection
  3. Uncommon conditions
    1. Systemic Sclerosis
    2. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
    3. Hypertrophic pulmonary Osteoarthropathy

V. Management: Preventing fluid reformation

  1. Ice applied to bursa for 20 minutes per hour
  2. Compression Dressing
  3. Avoid provocative activity (e.g. leaning on elbows)
  4. Refractory cases
    1. Olecranon Bursa Aspiration (risks of infection, fistula tract)
    2. Consider Olecranon Bursa Injection

VI. Prognosis

  1. Many acute lesions subside spontaneously

VII. Complications

  1. Olecranon Bursa Infection
  2. Chronic Olecranon Bursitis

VIII. References

  1. Khodaee (2017) Am Fam Physician 95(4): 224-31 [PubMed]

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