Elbow Bursitis Treatment – Olecranon Bursitis
Do you have elbow swelling?
Does it hurt more to press or rest on the elbow?
Do you have pain even with the elbow at rest?
Is it red and hot?
If left untreated, bursitis can become uncomfortable and debilitating. If you have these symptoms come to the Regenerat clinic.
We are specialists in the treatment of elbow bursitis without surgery.
Take the first step towards a full and pain-free life with Regenerative Medicine.
DOWNLOAD the Regenerative Medicine GUIDE that Alleviates your pain WITHOUT SURGERY!
"*" indicates required fields
Specialists in Elbow Bursitis Treatment in Valencia
I am Miguel Alfonso Porcar director of the clinic Regenerat of traumatology and orthopedic surgery in Gandía, Torrente y Catarroja (Valencia).
Recognized specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of the main elbow ailments and injuries.
Our objective is to:
- determine the cause of your pain,
- perform the appropriate diagnostic tests to determine the extent of your elbow injury,
- and apply the treatment of regenerative traumatology or orthopedic surgery to achieve maximum comfort as soon as possible.
We aim to help our patients by using the safest, most successful, and least invasive treatments possible!
English-Speaking Orthopedic Doctor for International Patients
Dr. Carlos Mairal, an orthopedic surgeon and trauma specialist in regenerative medicine, provides expert medical care in English for international patients.
He specializes in ultrasound-guided infiltrations using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of elbow conditions such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, osteoarthritis, and bursitis, promoting faster healing and long-lasting relief.
If you’re seeking advanced, non-surgical treatment for elbow pain and prefer to communicate in English, Dr. Mairal offers personalized care in a professional and welcoming environment.
Book your appointment today and receive expert care from an English-speaking orthopedic doctor.
What is elbow bursitis?
Elbow bursitis, also known as olecranial bursitis, is inflammation of the olecranial bursa, a small fluid-filled bursa located at the tip of the elbow, over the olecranon bone.
The elbow contains a large, curved, prominent bone at the back called the olecranon.
The olecranon is covered by a bursa (fluid-containing structure) called the oleocranial bursa.
This bursa acts as a cushion to reduce friction between the bone and surrounding soft tissues. It allows smooth movement between the bone and the underlying skin, due to the proximity between the two without other structures (fatty tissue and muscle tissue) between them.
Inflammation of this bursa results in a condition called elbow bursitis or olecranial bursitis.
Causes of olecranial bursitis or elbow bursitis
Causes of elbow bursitis can be direct trauma, repeated excessive leaning on the elbow (student elbow), infection through puncture wounds or insect bites, or conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes that can lead to bursitis in the elbow are:
- People with physical jobs: if your job requires you to spend a lot of time on your hands and knees or to rely on your elbows frequently (such as plumbing or air conditioning technicians) that involve a lot of elbow work, you are more likely to develop elbow bursitis over time.
- Athletes or people with certain hobbies: sports or other activities that require you to make repetitive motions with your elbows and arms can cause excessive pressure on the elbow bursa.
- People with certain medical conditions: you are more likely to develop elbow bursitis if you have conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid or rheumatic disease, such as gout.
Infected elbow bursitis
The most common cause of bursa inflammation, unrelated to trauma, is gout. There may be considerable swelling. It is even sometimes seen on X-ray if calcifications are present. This can also occur in rheumatoid arthritis.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to differentiate between an infected and a non-infected olecranon bursa, and approximately one in five cases may be associated with infectious pathology.
In general…
- Gradual inflammation indicates a chronic or long-term condition .
- Sudden swelling indicates a traumatic injury or infection in the elbow.
- If the elbow has been injured, the skin may be scraped or cut.
- Red, hot skin may indicate an infection.
- Infected bursae are almost mostly painful, while non-infected bursitis is painful in less than 25% of cases (less frequently).
- An inflamed bursa is not usually painful unless it is associated with an infection or a specific inflammatory process, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of elbow bursitis?
Swelling and/or effusion is the first symptom of elbow bursitis. As the bursa fills with fluid, the size increases and may cause pain due to pressure.
This pain is usually mild, but may increase with direct pressure or flexion of the elbow.
If the bursa becomes infected, the skin may become hot and red and may spread to other parts of the upper limb or even to the bloodstream if not treated immediately (implying a process of sepsis).
Diagnosis of elbow bursitis
Dr. Miguel Alfonso Porcar will review your symptoms, medical history and perform a physical examination to check range of motion, stability and strength of the elbow. Although not usually necessary, in some cases we may request a blood test or analysis of the fluid in the synovial bursa (bursa).
It will check if you have tenderness or pain in any area or if there is any obvious deformity.
If we suspect that the bursitis is caused by an infection and to rule out other causes of pain in your elbow, some imaging tests may be necessary:
- X-rays: X-rays do not show the soft tissues and are therefore usually normal. However, they are useful to rule out other types of lesions prior to effective treatment.
- Ultrasound: produces better images of the soft tissues and may show fluid or inflammation in the bursa.
- Echo-guided infiltration: we can give an injection of a drug to relieve pain. If the pain is relieved, it indicates that the problem was tissue friction due to bursitis.
- MRI: as a last resort, it will be the test of choice for lesions of both the bursa and neighboring tissues. To confirm or rule out tumor pathology.
Treatments for elbow bursitis
Medical care for the treatment of coccygeal bursitis and olecranial bursitis begins with rest measures , ice, analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Lifestyle changes such asrelative rest and modification or cessation of activities to relieve pain.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic medications such as ibuprofen or others to reduce inflammation.
- Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles in the affected area and improve elbow mobility.
If your elbow bursitis is the result of an infection, Dr. Miguel Alfonso Porcar will perform a needle aspiration to remove the fluid from the bursa. This will help alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing and provide a sample to send to a laboratory for analysis.
If it is a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or perform cleaning surgery.
For bursitis caused by repetitive strain, the physician may prescribe assistive devices such as elbow sleeves, bandages or pads to compress and cushion the elbow, as well as avoidance of activities that put pressure on the elbow.
Corticosteroid injection
If pain and inflammation persist after about a month, we can inject a potent anti-inflammatory drug, such as a corticosteroid, into it.
With ultrasound-guided infiltration, we can administer an injection of local anesthetic and a corticosteroid preparation at the most clinical point of the lesion.
Corticosteroids are a safe medication in most patients. This drug provides temporary pain relief and allows for increased joint function.
At the Regenerat clinic, we have state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment, by means of which a detailed and individual exploration of each patient is performed prior to the infiltration. Once the lesion has been studied, the injection is applied in the exact or closest point, with the objective of providing the patient with the greatest benefit.
If these methods do not work, surgery may be recommended.
Bursectomy – Surgery for bursitis of the elbow
Rarely, chronic elbow bursitis or septic elbow bursitis is treated by surgery.
Surgery for bursitis is indicated when the patient does not experience improvement after the use of non-surgical treatments.
The surgical procedure consists of the removal of any bony overgrowth, and also any inflammation of the bursa.
Through two or three tiny incisions in the elbow, a camera is introduced inside the elbow to explore the injured joint. Through the remaining incisions, the procedure is performed, thus avoiding a large scar and further patient recovery.
- Incision and drainage: we make an incision in the inflamed bursa and drain the contents of the bursa.
- Bursectomy: the bursa is drained and then removed. Several months after a bursectomy, a new bursa usually grows back in place of the one that was removed, so the elbow will still need to be protected.
- Osteotomy: consists of removing the bony overgrowths that have developed in the elbow. This procedure is called an osteotomy (cutting of the bone). They are common in people over the age of 50 and are not a cause for concern in and of themselves; however, they may irritate the bursa, leading to bursitis. Osteotomy can be performed alone or with a drainage procedure or bursectomy.
After surgery we will place your arm in a sling for a short period of time for a faster recovery. And as soon as possible we will remove the sling to start exercising and strengthening the muscles.
Why Regenerat Clinic to treat your elbow bursitis in Valencia?
Referents in the treatment of olecranial bursitis in Valencia
In the field of elbow pain treatment, Regenerat clinic is your reference center.
State-of-the-art technology
High resolution ultrasound-guided ultrasound scanners that facilitate diagnosis. State-of-the-art , less invasive treatments that alleviate and in many cases eliminate your elbow bursitis in Valencia, offering better health and quality of life.
Patient Testimonials
Our patients value our experience and multidisciplinary treatment for elbow bursitis , eliminating pain and recovering your activity after treatment.
Causes of elbow pain
Causes related to elbow injuries include damage to parts of the elbow, such as bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons or muscles.
- Elbow arthritis: occurs when the cartilage surface of the elbow is worn or damaged by previous injury, such as a dislocation or elbow fracture, or by degeneration.
- Injection for tennis elbow: Tennis elbow refers to pain on the outer side of the elbow. It is the result of a repetitive effort that causes a lesion in the insertion of the tendons in the epicondyle of the elbow.
- Golfer’s elbow injection: Golfer`s elbow causes pain in the internal face of the elbow (the medial epicondyle), which can radiate towards the internal face of the forearm.
- Elbow bursitis: Is the inflammation of the elbow bursa (a fluid-filled sac-like structure that reduces friction between bones, muscles and tendons). Direct traumas, a localized infection or an overuse, can be causes of the same one, among others.
The most effective treatment for many of these ailments is often the infiltration of the elbow with Platelet-Rich Plasma.
New opening Regenerat: Orthopaedic surgeon in Gandía, Denia, Jávea....
Specialists in Regenerative Medicine and Physiotherapy in Gandía
Call ☎ 961 146 834
Regenerat is a paediatric and adult trauma clinic, specialising in regenerative medicine treatments that delay and, in many cases, avoid orthopaedic surgery.
Our patients get an unbiased diagnosis and we offer you various surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
The most common pathologies treated at our medical center are osteoarthritis, back pain, tendon injuries, and sports injuries.
Providing expert care to patients from Denia and Javea to Benidorm and across Alicante at our Gandia clinic.
We are located at C/ Ciutat de Laval, 23, 46702 Gandia, Valencia, Spain.
Make an appointment in Gandia, Catarroja or Torrent
If you prefer, leave us your details and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Contact information
☎ 961 146 834
info@regeneratclinica.com
Schedule
Mornings – 9:30am – 14:00pm
Afternoons – 16:00pm – 20:00pm
Saturday & Sunday – Closed
Regenerat Clinic in Catarroja
Carrer Emili Ferrer Gómez, 4, 46470
Regenerat Clinic in Torrent
C/ del Mestre Lorenzo Fuertes Julvez, 14, 46901
Regenerat Clinic in Gandia
C/ Ciutat de Laval, 23, 46702 Gandia, Valencia
