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Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between your bones and soft tissues. These sacs are normally flat and contain only small amounts of fluid, but if they become inflamed the fluid builds up causing swelling and pain in the affected joint. This is known as bursitis.
Bursitis can occur in any joint, but it is most common in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees.
In the elbow, the bursa sits between the pointy part of your elbow (the olecranon) and the skin and soft tissue of your elbow. When the bursa becomes inflamed and fills with fluid it causes a condition called olecranon bursitis.
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private elbow bursitis treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what elbow bursitis is, what the symptoms of elbow bursitis are, what causes it, and what treatments are available.
Symptoms of elbow bursitis include:
- Swelling - this is usually the first sign of bursitis. Swelling is normally at the back of the elbow
- Pain - usually a dull ache that may get worse with movement
- Tenderness - the elbow joint may be more painful if you touch it
- Warmth and redness of the skin around the affected joint - this is a sign of infection and needs immediate treatment
Elbow bursitis can have several causes including:
- Trauma or injury to your elbow
- Putting pressure on the elbow over a long period of time, such as leaning your elbows on a table or laptop, or spending time in a crawl space leaning on your elbows
- Infection - may occur if bacteria enter the elbow joint from an insect bite or wound
- Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout
At your first consultation, your consultant will ask you about your symptoms. They will examine your arm and elbow for signs of swelling, redness, and tenderness and check your range of movement (how well you can move your arm and elbow).
Your consultant will probably order an X-ray to check for bone spurs (bony projections that form on the ends of bones). Bone spurs are a common cause of elbow bursitis.
A small sample of fluid may be taken from your elbow to check whether the bursitis is caused by infection or gout.
In some cases, your consultant may order additional tests like an MRI, ultrasound, or blood test to confirm your diagnosis or rule out an alternative cause.
Once a diagnosis is made, your consultant will recommend the best treatment for you based on individual factors including your diagnosis, general health, lifestyle, preferences, and expectations for treatment.
At Circle Health Group we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please ask any questions, or discuss any concerns you may have with your consultant at this time. It's a good idea to write down any questions you have before your consultation.
Treatment for elbow bursitis depends on what treatments you have already tried, how severe your bursitis is, and whether there is an infection present.
If the fluid in the bursa is infected, this is known as septic bursitis. Symptoms of septic bursitis are similar to non-infectious bursitis, but you may also experience fever, fatigue, redness, and warmth over the elbow joint and feel generally unwell. If left untreated septic bursitis can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body causing serious illness.
If your consultant suspects that you have septic bursitis, they may use a needle and syringe to remove fluid from your elbow. The fluid is then sent to a laboratory to see if there are bacteria present. Septic bursitis is treated with antibiotics.
If there is no infection present, non-surgical treatments are normally the first choice for treating elbow bursitis.
Non-surgical treatments for elbow bursitis include:
- Elbow pads - using elbow pads to cushion your elbow may help relieve symptoms
- Activity modification - avoiding activities where you put pressure on your affected elbow
- Compression - a compression bandage or wrap around your elbow can help to reduce swelling. Your compression bandage should apply light pressure to your elbow joint, but not be so tight that it restricts blood flow
- Ice packs - applying an ice pack such as a bag of frozen peas to your affected elbow can help reduce swelling. Apply the ice pack wrapped in a cloth or tea towel to the affected joint for around ten minutes a few times a day. Never apply ice directly to your skin
- Medication - over the counter medications like ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to reduce swelling and pain
- Steroid injections - are injected into the affected joint to reduce swelling. Fluid from the bursa may be drained to release pressure before the joint is injected with steroids
Surgical treatment
Most bursitis resolves with non-surgical treatments, but in rare cases, surgery may be necessary.
Surgery is normally only considered if you have had symptoms of bursitis for six to 12 months and have tried non-surgical treatments without success.
The surgical procedure for elbow bursitis is called an olecranon bursectomy and involves removing the entire bursa. A healthy bursa normally grows back over a few months.
Recovery with non-surgical treatment
Most cases of bursitis resolve with non-surgical treatment in around three to six weeks. Everyone's recovery is different and it's important to go at your own pace while recovering from bursitis. Trying to do too much and ignoring symptoms such as pain and swelling may delay your recovery and make your symptoms worse. If your symptoms don't improve after around four weeks of non-surgical treatment, speak to your consultant.
Recovery from bursitis surgery
After your surgery, you will have a dressing and a splint on your arm and elbow to protect your skin while it heals. You may be given a sling to wear for two weeks after surgery. Your consultant or physiotherapist may show you some exercises to improve your muscle strength and range of motion after surgery.
You can normally resume light activities after around two weeks and heavy lifting after around six weeks. If you have a job, or hobby that involves repetitive pressure or movement of your elbows, you may need to wait up to twelve weeks before resuming this activity.
How many nights will I have to stay in hospital?
For non-infective bursitis, surgery is normally done as an outpatient meaning you can go home the same day.
If you have septic bursitis, you may need to spend one night in hospital
Can I drive home after surgery?
You will not be able to drive yourself home from hospital after your surgery. You can either make arrangements for someone to collect you, or we can arrange a taxi if you prefer.
When can I return to work after surgery?
When you can return to work after surgery depends on your individual recovery and the type of work you do. In most cases, you can return to work around five to seven days after your surgery. Speak to your consultant about when you can expect to go back to work.
When can I drive after surgery?
On average you can drive around two weeks after your surgery, but this depends on your recovery and is different for everyone. Speak to your consultant about when you can expect to drive after your surgery.
Once you have recovered from bursitis, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from coming back.
Some things you can do to prevent a recurrence of bursitis include:
- Lose weight if needed and maintain a healthy weight
- Warm up properly before activities and sports
- Clean any cuts, bites, or wounds on your elbows to reduce the risk of infection
- Use elbow pads to protect and cushion your elbows, especially while doing activities that involve putting pressure on your elbows
- Take regular breaks from activities that put pressure on your elbows
- Avoid injuring, knocking, or banging your elbows
- If you develop symptoms of bursitis, see a specialist as soon as possible
We answer some of your most common questions about elbow bursitis
Can I drain my own elbow bursitis?
No. Never attempt to drain the fluid in your elbow yourself. Doing so does not treat the cause of your bursitis and the fluid will likely build up again. In some cases, a severe infection could result from trying to drain your elbow bursitis yourself.
How long does elbow bursitis last?
With treatment, bursitis normally gets better in around three to six weeks.
How do I wrap my elbow for bursitis?
Wrapping your elbow in an elastic bandage may help relieve swelling caused by elbow bursitis. Always check with your consultant before trying any at-home treatment and ask your consultant or physiotherapist to show you how to wrap your elbow correctly.
Can elbow bursitis spread?
If you have septic bursitis the infection can spread to the bloodstream or other parts of the body causing serious illness.
Symptoms of septic bursitis include pain, swelling, heat, and redness around the elbow joint, a high temperature, and feeling tired or generally unwell. If you have symptoms of septic bursitis, seek immediate medical attention.
Is elbow bursitis dangerous?
If left untreated bursitis can get worse and cause problems such as increased pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your elbow. Infected (septic) bursitis can spread to the bloodstream or nearby tissues causing a serious condition called sepsis that may be life-threatening.
Is elbow bursitis painful?
Yes. Elbow bursitis is normally painful. As the bursa becomes inflamed, swells up, and fills with fluid, it puts pressure on the surrounding tissues and causes pain in the elbow joint.
What does elbow bursitis look like?
One of the first signs of elbow bursitis is swelling at the back of the elbow joint. It may look like a golf ball at the back of your elbow. The skin around the joint may appear red, though this may be harder to see on brown or black skin.
Can elbow bursitis burst?
Yes. Sometimes the inflamed bursa can burst. If the bursa is infected, the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing serious illness.
Can elbow bursitis go away on its own?
Without treatment, elbow bursitis can get worse and cause long-term problems like increased swelling, pain, and reduced range of motion. In the case of septic bursitis, the infection can spread and cause a condition called sepsis that may be life-threatening.
Most cases of elbow bursitis get better within three to six weeks of at-home treatment.
If you have symptoms of elbow bursitis, make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment.
How do you know if elbow bursitis is infected?
Symptoms of infected (septic) elbow bursitis include:
- Swelling at the back of your elbow
- Pain, especially when moving your elbow
- Redness and heat around your elbow
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Feeling generally unwell
Septic bursitis can lead to serious illness and may be life-threatening. If you have symptoms of septic bursitis, seek immediate medical attention.
At Circle Health Group we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group you can expect the highest standards of care including:
- Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant best suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Private ensuite rooms as standard
- A range of delicious healthy meals
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about elbow bursitis treatment, book your appointment online or call a member of our team directly.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in March 2023. Next review due March 2026.
- Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis, OrthoInfo
- Bursitis, NHS
- Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis, Cleveland Clinic
- Olecranon bursitis, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
