Elbow Bursitis

What is Elbow Bursitis?

Elbow Bursitis is a condition whereby the slippery sac (technically known as the Bursa) situated between the loose skin and the bony part of the elbow tip, becomes irritated and inflamed. 

The symptoms of Elbow Bursitis are mild to severe swelling and pain, which if left untreated can begin to restrict elbow movement and become infected.

Why does Elbow Bursitis Occur?

Elbow Bursitis usually occurs for one of four reasons:

• Trauma: a hard blow to the elbow tip
• Pressure: leaning on a hard surface for prolonged periods 
• Infection: damage involving a break in or insect bite to nearby skin 
• Underlying Medical Condition: such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Gout

How is Elbow Bursitis treated without surgery?

In uninfected cases of Elbow Bursitis the use of anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, elevation and enforced rest of the affected elbow joint for several weeks can usually successfully alleviate this condition.

If symptoms fail to improve over six weeks the next step is usually to inject a steroid solution around the outside of the elbow to reduce the pain and inflammation.

How is Elbow Bursitis treated with surgery?

Surgery to resolve Bursitis is typically avoided unless a case is or becomes infected or fails to respond to conservative treatment.

Surgical intervention is aimed at draining excessive fluid (technically known as an Aspiration) from inside the Bursa and treating any infection with appropriate antibiotic therapy. In severe cases the entire bursa may need to be removed.

Surgery is typically carried out as a minor day case and performed under regional or local anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes around 15-20 minutes to perform, dependant on the severity of the swelling and/or infection and dependant on the need to remove the Bursa. This procedure is usually performed with a needle and syringe or through a small incision on the elbow. 

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered they are normally discharge home within two hours of the procedure wearing a lightweight dressing and support splint on the effected elbow joint. The exception to this is where patients are considered to have a severe infection and may be required to stay in hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics.
Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their new elbow joints mobility and stability through dedicated and progressive upper limb physiotherapy.

Your Consultant Surgeon will assess your joints stability and range of movement after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your procedure has been. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take around six weeks to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Elbow Bursitis Surgery?

Surgery of this type is considered a specialist procedure to perform; especially in light of the deterioration infected Bursitis can have on an elbow joint. It is therefore very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking such surgery. The importance of a full consultation to discuss your condition with a specialist upper limb orthopaedic surgeon in relation to these risks cannot therefore be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Elbow Bursitis surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Elbow surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating Elbow surgery and because of their specialist upper limb surgical expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert upper limb orthopaedic surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com