Bursitis of the elbow joint is an inflammatory process that occurs in the tissues surrounding the olecranon process. In order to understand what we are talking about, you should know that around any joint, including the elbow, there are synovial bursae filled with a small amount of fluid, which are called bursa in Latin. In normal condition, they perform the same role as lubricants in the engine, that is, they prevent joints from rubbing against each other during movement. Consequently, they are not injured as a result of natural human activities.
If we look specifically at the elbow joint, then it is surrounded by three bursae:
Each of them contains a certain amount of liquid, which normally performs its function, so a person does not experience pain when moving his hands. But sometimes, for a number of reasons, inflammation occurs in the cavity of one or several synovial bursae, fluid begins to flow, its composition changes, and the elbow becomes painful. This condition is called bursitis of the elbow joint.
Doctors classify bursitis according to several parameters:
Depending on the location (by the name of the synovial bursae).
According to the nature of the inflammation - acute, subacute or chronic.
Depending on the composition of the fluid (exudate) accumulating in the synovial bursa - purulent, serous, fibrous, hemorrhagic.
If bursitis is caused by any microorganism, then it may be called nonspecific (microorganisms from the group of streptococci and staphylococci) or specific (for example, caused by gonococci, pale spirochete, tuberculosis or syphilitic bacteria).
Inflammation of this gap-like formation on the elbow is a fairly common phenomenon and ranks second after inflammation of the shoulder joint.
Bursitis of the elbow joint can occur for a number of reasons, among which are the following:
In the first place, as a factor leading to the development of bursitis, is arthritis of any nature - psoriatic, rheumatoid or gouty. That is, against the background of acute inflammation, fluid begins to accumulate in the cartilage itself or in the synovial bursa, which leads to the formation of bursitis.
Bursitis can result from microtrauma, but this is somewhat less common. The elbow is injured due to constantly repeating monotonous movements, so this disease is unofficially called the “occupational” disease of all those people whose activities involve resting the elbow on a hard surface. These could be students, engravers, chess players, draftsmen, etc. In such people, the subcutaneous ulnar bursa most often becomes inflamed, and, for example, in tennis players, the interosseous ulnar bursa is inflamed. This difference is associated with the characteristics of the distribution of the load on the elbow, and therefore the location of microtraumas.
Sometimes bursitis occurs some time after receiving a mechanical injury to the elbow. In the case when a person hits or falls on this part of the body.
Bursitis can also occur as a result of infection. This happens especially often when the skin tissue directly next to the bursa has been damaged, and a certain microorganism or bacterium has gotten inside. Panaritium can also serve as an infectious cause of bursitis, when the bones and soft tissues of the fingers are exposed to acute inflammation. Also, the infection can enter the synovial bursa not from the outside, but “from the inside,” that is, transmitted through the blood (hematogenous route) and lymph (lymphogenous route).
It is extremely rare, however, that idiopathic inflammation of the synovial bursa occurs, that is, one whose etiological causes remain unclear.
Some other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, are also considered risk factors leading to inflammation in the elbow joint. The cause of suppuration can also be a general weakening of the immune system, metabolic disorders, as well as the use of steroid drugs.
The main symptoms of elbow bursitis are the following:
The occurrence of swelling in the corresponding area. Sometimes it can occur for no apparent reason, be completely painless and not interfere with the free movement of the arm.
If you leave the swelling unattended, over time it will become much more noticeable, significantly increase in volume and a feeling of discomfort and pain will appear.
Redness of the skin around the elbow and its sharp filling are often observed.
A person's body temperature may rise, even to the point of developing febrile conditions. With such a course of bursitis, severe pain occurs in the elbow area and the general condition deteriorates sharply.
Associated symptoms of intoxication occur, which are characterized by headaches, general weakness, sweating, apathy and loss of appetite.
As the joint capsule increases in size, the mobility of the arm becomes somewhat limited, and pain occurs when trying to bend the arm.
If you continue to ignore this condition and leave elbow bursitis without appropriate therapy, it will turn into a purulent form, and fistulas protruding outward and subcutaneous phlegmon will appear at the site of inflammation.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Depending on the form of bursitis, the accompanying symptoms will also vary:
Acute serous inflammation of the synovial bursa is characterized by swelling, slight pain and increased skin temperature in the area of swelling. The general condition is not very markedly disturbed.
If serous bursitis is not treated, then it is possible that it will either disappear on its own or become chronic. With it, pain, even not during the period of exacerbation, will continue to bother a person, especially during physical activity; the movement of the elbow is somewhat limited; upon palpation, doctors detect a fluctuating formation, which can be either elastic or loose. If bursitis occurs in a chronic form for quite a long time, then several compactions can be detected. Chronic bursitis is often subject to relapse.
If the bursitis is purulent, then the painful sensations do not cease to bother the patient, they are tugging or bursting. The elbow itself becomes bright red and hot to the touch. The general condition of the person is disturbed.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should not try to diagnose yourself, much less begin treatment. After all, the signs of bursitis are quite similar to similar manifestations of arthritis, gout or polyarthritis. Each specific case requires a variety of treatment, using different medications. Therefore, if you suspect the presence of bursitis, you should bandage your elbow with an immobilizing bandage, give it rest and go to the orthopedic department to see an appropriate specialist.
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Purulent bursitis is characterized by the formation of purulent contents in the joint capsule of the elbow. It is caused by bacterial infections of this cavity.
Most often, purulent bursitis of the elbow is caused by streptococci and staphylococci, which penetrate into the bursa as a result of mechanical trauma to the skin in the corresponding area. It may even be a small scratch or abrasion, but if it damages the synovial bursa, then in almost 100% of cases it leads to the formation of bursitis, which, in the absence of specialized therapy, becomes purulent over time. The presence of pustular formations on the skin near the elbow joint or directly on it will lead to rapid infection and suppuration.
But sometimes microtraumas caused by professional activities can lead to the formation of purulent inflammation.
Symptoms of purulent bursitis are characteristic of any inflammatory process; the swelling is located at the top of the elbow and, depending on the severity of the disease, can have different sizes. The pain is intense, the skin is red and hot to the touch, the human body is weakened, and the body temperature rises to high values.
If a purulent nature of the disease is suspected, the patient's blood is taken for a general analysis and to determine the sugar level; it is also necessary to collect urine. If necessary, doctors can prescribe an ultrasound examination and take a puncture to determine the nature of the contents, but as a rule, such manipulations are rarely required.
It is necessary to distinguish purulent bursitis from similar arthritis. With the latter, it is almost impossible to move the hand; the pain is felt directly inside the joint itself.
Treatment requires surgery to drain the pus. After this, the excised surface is treated with antiseptics and a sterile bandage is applied. Often healing is slow and repeated surgery is required.
The following complications may arise:
Muscular and subcutaneous phlegmon.
Purulent arthritis, when the entire joint is involved in the process.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes or skin ducts (lymphadenitis and lymphangitis).
Prevention includes the exclusion of traumatic situations and timely treatment of the onset of the inflammatory process.
If bursitis is not complicated and is the result of a mild bruise, then it can go away on its own, by limiting the mobility of the sore spot and applying a cold compress, followed by the use of dimexide as a resolving agent.
In all other cases, qualified medical assistance is required. To begin with, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, ibuprofen in combination with nimesulide and diclofenac. If the cause of inflammation is a bacteria, then antibiotics are necessary. If there is no effect and if there is a significant accumulation of fluid, it is necessary to perform a puncture. With its help, fluid is aspirated, which almost instantly helps relieve pain symptoms and significantly reduces the pressure on nearby tissues. When performing puncture, depending on the indications, either antibiotics or steroid drugs are administered orally to relieve inflammation.
Surgical intervention is performed only in extreme cases when all tried methods are ineffective. Most often, surgery is needed for recurrent bursitis, or purulent-hemorrhagic inflammation, as well as persistent serous inflammation.
Bursectomy is a rather traumatic intervention, which subsequently disables the arm for a long time, depriving the person of his ability to work. That is why surgeons in their practice increasingly began to use the following, no less effective treatment regimen: the surgical site is pricked, then a puncture is performed with a fairly thick needle, which allows the fluid to be aspirated. Then, using special manipulations, a catheter is inserted into the bursa, which has a compressed bulb at one end. Afterwards, it gradually straightens and completely removes all the contents of the bag cavity. Thus, its global excision is not required, and healing occurs in a significantly shorter time.
Sometimes bursitis requires treatment even in remission. The method of therapy is determined by the doctor; ultrasonic heating and electropheresis are used quite often and very successfully. These procedures allow you to relieve spasms and tension from sore muscles. Cryotherapy is used to relieve swelling. After the main symptoms have been eliminated, massage and paraffin applications may be prescribed.
Author of the article: Muravitsky Igor Valerievich, rheumatologist
Bursitis of the elbow joint is a disease in which an inflammatory process develops in the joint capsules (bursae), caused by injury, systemic infection, or degenerative changes in the tissues of the joint itself.
Treatment of this condition involves an integrated approach, in which the doctor’s prescriptions do not replace the need for the patient to take an active part in the recovery process.
Home treatment is one of the stages with which you can significantly speed up the recovery period and avoid possible unpleasant consequences of bursitis.
Elbow bursitis is not a disease that is extremely dangerous to a person’s general health. But this does not mean that his treatment can be left to chance with impunity.
First of all, bursitis falls into the category of pathologies that, without treatment, can lead to decreased ability to work and even cause disability.
This risk is due to the presence of fluid in the joint, which can become infected and initiate irreversible changes in the cartilage and bone tissues of the joint, which leads to a decrease in its mobility or ankylosis (complete immobility, which is incurable without surgery).
But bursitis has another pitfall: the cause of its occurrence. Often this disease is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis. Infringement of blood vessels and nerve roots in the cervical spine, caused by subsidence of the intervertebral discs, disrupts the process of blood supply and innervation of the tissues of the upper extremities.
As a result, a sluggish inflammatory process develops, which is most often localized in the most vulnerable areas. So, if a person’s professional or everyday activities involve stress on the elbow joints (frequent extension and flexion, the need to place emphasis on the elbows, etc.), the development of bursitis and other diseases of the elbow joints becomes a matter of time.
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Therefore, in case of “causeless” bursitis, which developed outside of trauma, systemic infectious diseases, etc., examination by a neurologist or vertebrologist to identify possible cervical osteochondrosis is one of the important stages of diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Important: given the variety of forms of bursitis (serous, fibrous, purulent, hemorrhagic) and the difference in the volume of pathological joint fluid, treatment at home is strictly prohibited before consulting a doctor.
This requirement is due to the high risk of complications, as well as the need to puncture the joint to remove fluid and introduce medications into its cavity to relieve acute inflammation and prevent the spread of the pathological process to other parts of the body.
With bursitis, the natural reaction of every patient is the desire to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with this disease. But without understanding the causes of bursitis, self-medication can be dangerous.
For example, if the inflammation of the joint capsules is traumatic, drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, paracetamol, etc.) can cause bleeding into the joint cavity or increase the volume of blood released when bleeding has already occurred.
The same applies to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have become very popular in recent years among people who prefer self-medication. Depending on the composition of NSAIDs, they may be contraindicated for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, vascular system, and even affect the blood count.
Therefore, the selection of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs should be carried out only by a qualified specialist.
But even analgesics recommended by a doctor carry a certain danger when treated at home. A decrease in pain leads to an improvement in the patient's condition and, as a result, the person returns to his daily activities.
But in this case, the absence of pain is an “artificial” effect of taking medications and it does not cancel the presence of an inflammatory process in the joint. Therefore, do not forget to monitor your doctor’s advice regarding your activity regimen, even if the medications prescribed to you cope perfectly with the pain.
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Warming up with dry compresses, local baths (with elbows immersed in warm water), visiting a sauna are procedures that help improve blood supply to the pathological area and speed up the healing process.
It is important to remember that in case of acute bursitis, which is accompanied by severe pain, increased body temperature (general or local), severe swelling in the joint area, any thermal procedures are contraindicated. The same applies to bursitis caused by infection of joint tissue.
But in the subacute period, the listed therapeutic measures will provide a number of conditions for faster regeneration of damaged tissues and recovery.
Dry compresses can be applied using sea or table salt heated in a microwave oven or in a dry frying pan, small pebbles and coarse sand (which can be purchased at zoological stores), and dried medicinal herbs.
Compress components heated to 50-60 o C must be wrapped in several layers of cotton, linen or woolen fabric (under no circumstances use fabrics containing synthetic fibers), apply the compress to the elbow joint and hold until it cools completely.
You can add salt to the water for baths (1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water) and 2-3 drops of an alcohol solution of iodine, or prepare a decoction of branches and needles of pine, juniper, and fir. The water should be moderately hot, without causing discomfort with too high a temperature.
Thermal procedures perfectly prepare the joint for the application of medications, so immediately after removing the compress or completing a local bath, dry the skin and use the necessary ointments or gels.
Important: In case of injuries to the elbow joint, the use of heat is contraindicated. It is extremely important to provide first aid correctly (applying a tight bandage, applying cold compresses to the joint area and limiting the mobility of the injured arm as much as possible). This will reduce the likelihood of developing bursitis of traumatic origin.
The attending physician, having established the type of bursitis and the cause of its occurrence, will prescribe specific local drugs that have an antibacterial, warming, anti-inflammatory or other effect.
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But if for some reason you cannot see a doctor, some conditionally universal remedies will help contain the inflammatory process for some time necessary for you to visit a medical facility:
Local remedies such as Fastum-gel, Apizatron, etc., which have a pronounced irritating and warming effect, cannot be used in the acute period without a doctor’s prescription.
With bursitis of the elbow joint in the acute period, it is necessary to ensure complete immobility of the pathological area. For this purpose, a tight (but not pressing!) bandage is applied to the joint area so that the elbow is in a natural half-bent position. A slight pressure exerted on the tissue will reduce pathological effusion and the release of fluid into the joint cavity.
Massage in the acute period is also contraindicated, since the effect of this procedure is aimed at increasing blood flow and irritating skin receptors, which can negatively affect the condition of inflamed tissues and slow down recovery.
As the inflammatory process and pain decrease, the doctor may recommend a complex of exercise therapy that helps restore joint mobility to its physiological values, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and other methods of manual and physiotherapeutic treatment.
Important: given the variety of causes of bursitis, the variability of the course of the disease and the dependence of the prognosis for recovery on the general health of the patient (including the health of the cervical and thoracic spine), only treatment prescribed by a doctor after a series of diagnostic procedures can be effective.
Self-medication of bursitis is a fairly “reliable” path to the disease becoming chronic and developing severe complications.
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Elbow bursitis is a joint disease in which inflammation of the synovial bursa (bursa) occurs. The disease can have an acute, chronic or recurrent course.
Most often, bursitis affects the elbow joint, which has a complex anatomical structure. Any injuries or local pathological processes of infectious or non-infectious origin disrupt the functioning of the elbow joint, which leads to the development of a disease such as bursitis of the elbow joint.
The main signs of bursitis are pain in the elbow area, swelling, redness of the skin of the elbow joint, increased body temperature, intoxication of the whole body and other symptoms that depend on the cause of the disease and the nature of the exudate of the synovial bursa.
The elbow joint is surrounded by three synovial bursae: the ulnar subcutaneous bursa, the interosseous ulnar bursa and the radiobrachial bursa. They all produce fluid that acts as a lubricant for the proper functioning of the elbow.
If inflammation develops in the synovial bursa for one reason or another, then the amount of fluid increases, its composition and character changes, pain and other symptoms appear.
The disease can develop with prolonged pressure on the joint or as a result of trauma or mechanical damage to the skin. In such cases, an infection can enter the synovial bursa, then it is worth talking about purulent bursitis, which is much more difficult to treat and requires surgical intervention.
Elbow bursitis does not require significant treatment when it first develops. It is enough to reduce the load on the elbow, apply a tight fixing bandage, which will help prevent further injury to the synovial bursa.
Many people wonder which doctor should they contact if they suspect bursitis? Bursitis is treated by a surgeon. Surgery for bursitis is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of inflammation and restoring elbow function.
In the acute period of the disease or with chronic bursitis, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs and antibacterial drugs that reduce pain, relieve inflammation and prevent the progression of the disease. The patient carries out treatment at home, but periodically visits the doctor.
Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Movalis, Voltaren, Dikloberl - such medications are prescribed in the form of tablets for oral administration.
Fastum gel, Finalgon, Voltaren, Diclofenac and others, which are applied to the affected joint 1-2 times a day.
Antibiotics are prescribed depending on the sensitivity of microorganisms. Broad-spectrum antibiotics from the group of macrolites, cephalosporins, and penicillins are usually prescribed: Cefazolin, Cefix, Fromilid, Ampicillin. These drugs are prescribed in the form of tablets or injections for intramuscular or intravenous administration.
They have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, are injected directly into the inflamed bursa, and help relieve swelling and pain. The course of treatment and doses of drugs are prescribed by the doctor individually for each patient.
During the period of remission of the disease, the patient is referred for consultation to a physiotherapist, who, taking into account all the features of the disease and contraindications, will prescribe the necessary procedures. Usually the doctor prescribes:
Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment will reduce swelling and pain in the elbow, and prevent further development of the disease.
Surgery for elbow bursitis is carried out in case of purulent accumulation in the elbow bursa or in case of chronic bursitis. The following surgical methods are effective:
The procedure consists of removing the contents from the bursa and washing its cavity. When performing a puncture, antibacterial drugs and corticosteroids are used. If necessary, the procedure is carried out several times until the purulent exudate is completely removed. Puncture of the synovial bursa is performed in a hospital setting under local anesthesia. After the puncture, the patient is usually sent home.
Used for purulent bursitis of complex course. During the operation, the bursa cavity is opened and drained. The drainage is in the elbow until the symptoms of the disease subside. This procedure is carried out on an inpatient basis under the supervision of a doctor.
It is carried out by excision of the ulnar bursa, and then by applying a splint, which allows for resting the joint. During the recovery process, a new synovial bursa is formed in the elbow joint.
Surgical treatment of elbow bursitis is considered the most effective and allows a person to completely cure the disease. Conservative treatment is effective only in cases where the disease is of non-infectious origin.
Traditional medicine is considered an auxiliary method in the treatment of bursa inflammation, which has many recipes in its arsenal to combat this disease.
Alternative medicine cannot completely cure the disease on its own; it can only temporarily reduce the symptoms of the disease that is bothering you. Therefore, traditional treatment is best carried out in combination with traditional methods of treatment.
Recipes for folk remedies for the treatment of bursitis on video:
After treatment for elbow bursitis, the prognosis is almost always favorable. The functionality of the joint is restored after a few weeks. In more severe cases, rehabilitation after the completed course of treatment can take several months.
Bursitis is understood as inflammation of the bursa (periarticular synovial bursa), located in places of greatest friction between muscles and bone. The bursa is a small connective tissue sac filled with fluid.
Bursitis is one of the most common joint diseases. On average, a person has one hundred and forty bursae, and this disease can develop in each of them.
However, the most common condition is bursitis of the elbow joint. As a rule, this disease is more common among athletes.
It passes within one to two weeks and does not pose any serious danger to life and health.
Inflammation of the subcutaneous bursa of the elbow joint and filling of its cavity with fluid occurs primarily as a result of injuries . Most often they are observed in athletes. Subsequently, the cavity becomes infected with streptococci or staphylococci, as well as other pathogens.
Depending on the causative agent of the infection, this disease can be specific or nonspecific .
Depending on the type of fluid or exudate filling the synovial bursa, serous and hemorrhagic bursitis of the elbow joint is distinguished.
The latter type is characterized by the presence of blood in the exudate.
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The first sign of this disease is swelling, which usually occurs suddenly and does not cause any pain and does not limit the movement of the joint in any way.
Such swelling is often not noticed; as a result, treatment is not carried out in a timely manner and the clinical picture worsens.
Gradually, the synovial bursa increases in size, and pain appears as the inflammatory process intensifies. Body temperature rises (it also indicates the presence of an inflammatory process), hyperemia (redness) of the skin is observed. The more the synovial bursa enlarges, the more the mobility of the elbow joint is limited. Every movement of the elbow becomes extremely painful.
The process of development of bursitis can be clearly seen in the following photo.
If a purulent form of bursitis , then specific microbial flora joins the inflammatory processes, subcutaneous and intermuscular fistulas or phlegmons form, and purulent arthritis develops.
It occurs against the background of fever - a significant increase in temperature, as well as malaise and drowsiness.
In most cases, the diagnosis of this disease is carried out during examination by a specialist, however, in order to make a diagnosis it is necessary to perform a puncture of the inflamed bursa . This is done with the purpose of clarifying the nature of the fluid formed in the bag and determining the type of disease.
If acute bursitis develops, then treatment is carried out using a conservative method; if a purulent form of the pathology is observed, then a special approach is used in therapy.
It is extremely important to immediately pay attention to the appearance of swelling around the elbow, and if this appears, you should not ignore it, since in the vast majority of cases this indicates bursitis, and if it is diagnosed in advance and treated at the earliest stages, it will cause the patient has much less trouble.
The first stage of treatment for this disease is to reduce the load on the affected joint.
Fixing bandage for elbow bursitis
This is achieved by applying a special elastic bandage, which helps to significantly limit the range of movements. Under the supervision of a specialist, cold compresses can be applied to the elbow joint two to three times a day.
Ibuprofen is used to treat bursitis as an anti-inflammatory drug . It can be used both externally in the form of an ointment and internally in tablets .
glucocorticoid drugs by injection as anti-inflammatory therapy Most often this is hydrocortisone. It can not only relieve inflammation, but also significantly reduce the amount of fluid directly in the cavity of the synovial bursa.
If there is a suspicion of infection of the bursa, the liquid is sucked out using a regular syringe - aspiration . This procedure helps relieve pain, and the resulting liquid is sent for bacteriological testing.
If an infectious lesion of the joint is observed, then antibacterial drugs are prescribed. The choice of antibiotics depends on the degree and type of bacterial infection.
With the development of this disease, negative consequences are expected. In such cases, surgical treatment methods can sometimes be used, but they are used only in cases where all other methods do not give positive results or when the synovial bursa is infected, as well as when the disease becomes chronic and has frequent exacerbations.
In these cases, the wall of the synovial bursa may be removed , or the bursa may be partially excised. An autopsy is also performed, followed by tamponing of the synovial bursa. After opening, its cavity is treated with carbolic acid or iodine solution.
In quite rare cases, an operation is performed to remove the synovial bursa completely without first opening it.
After surgical treatment, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are prescribed.
From traditional medicine, alternating cold and warm compresses on the area of the affected joint, acupuncture and massage can be used to improve the condition and relieve pathological symptoms. Compresses may include herbal mixtures that have anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects (linden blossom, calendula, plantain, burdock leaves).
These drugs can cause a noticeable improvement in the condition only with systematic and long-term use, and in the acute stage of the disease they should be combined with official medicine (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and a complex of physical therapy.
Elbow bursitis occurs when the bursa (or “bursa” in Latin) becomes inflamed. This section is filled with fluid that softens friction in the elbow joint. As the inflammatory process develops, the tissues of the elbow joint swell, the amount of synovial fluid increases, and the pain in the elbow often becomes unbearable.
Find out the causes of elbow bursitis, symptoms, and methods for diagnosing the disease. Take note of folk recipes that complement traditional methods of treating inflammatory processes in the joint capsule.
Elbow bursitis develops under the influence of negative factors. Sometimes the joint experiences external and internal influences that increase inflammation.
After infection of the joint capsule, a pathological process develops and the first signs of bursitis appear. If you do not pay attention to them, the disease starts, the inflammation will move from the acute to the purulent stage, and later take on a chronic, recurrent nature.
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Be sure to visit an orthopedic traumatologist if you experience the following symptoms:
Based on the nature of the pathological changes, four types of elbow bursitis are distinguished:
If there is discomfort in the elbow joint, tissue swelling, or pain, visit an orthopedic traumatologist. With severe inflammation, bursitis is easy to distinguish.
In milder cases, additional studies are required to make an accurate diagnosis:
Patients ask how to distinguish arthritis from bursitis. Many of the symptoms are similar, but there is a main difference: with arthritis it is almost impossible to move the elbow, with bursitis, movements due to inflammation of the joint capsules are possible, although very painful.
How to treat elbow bursitis at home? The duration of therapy is three weeks or longer. During treatment, the patient often experiences severe pain: a scar forms in the elbow joint.
At the end of the main course, rehabilitation is required to improve the condition of tendons, muscles, and joints. The doctor will prescribe exercise therapy (physical therapy) and massage. The patient himself performs special exercises (after training from a doctor at the exercise therapy office) at home.
The massage must be performed by a specialist. Given the chronic and recurrent nature of the disease, loved ones will have to learn the basic techniques for high-quality rehabilitation of the sufferer after each attack.
Many patients, in addition to ointments and gels with anti-inflammatory effects (drugs Voltaren, Indomethacin, Traumeel S, Dimexide, Diclofenac) use folk recipes for bursitis of the elbow joint. Complex treatment lasts several weeks and requires regular use of homemade formulations.
Consult a traumatologist to find out which remedy is best. If it is not possible to see a doctor immediately, traditional medicine recipes for bursitis will reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
Effective compositions and methods:
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After treatment, follow these simple rules to avoid relapses:
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In order for a mechanical device to work properly, its parts must be constantly lubricated. The same is true for the joints in our body. If the amount of lubricating fluid increases or, conversely, decreases, inflammation occurs. In particular, bursitis of the elbow joint is characterized by chronic inflammation of the mucous bursa, which can be cured by reliable traditional medicine, proven by many years of experience.
Often the main cause of this disease is an injury to the elbow joint, which subsequently causes inflammation. No less often, this disease can be found in patients who have had the flu, and this is due to an infection that enters with the flow of lymph and blood from purulent foci in the body. This disease can be called truly professional for athletes, especially golfers and tennis players, who experience excessive stress on the elbow joint . In more rare cases, bursitis is a consequence of arthritis of the joints or gout, metabolic disorders or salt deposits.
Diagram of the course of the disease 'tennis elbow' (bursitis)
Characteristic symptoms of bursitis of the elbow joint include swelling, induration and swelling, which can sometimes reach up to 10 cm in diameter. And of course, pain, which intensifies with movement and spreads along the entire line of the arm. In advanced cases, body temperature may rise to 40°C and general intoxication may occur.
Popular names for bursitis of the elbow joint include such beautiful phraseological units as “tennis elbow,” “jeweler’s elbow,” or “watchmaker’s elbow.”
To get rid of elbow bursitis, you should approach solving the problem comprehensively, including from the inside. In this case, healing teas and juices will help perfectly.
Prepare tea from a tablespoon of celery seeds by pouring a glass of boiling water over them. Leave the drink to steep for 1.5 hours. Take a glass of it twice a day for 14 days and the disease will gradually recede.
A decoction of celery seeds should be drunk for at least two weeks.
A simple and reliable remedy for the treatment of bursitis is considered to be freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, which should be taken half a glass daily. However, before using this method, consult your doctor so as not to harm the gastrointestinal system.
Local application to the inflamed elbow joint is the best treatment. In this case, healing decoctions are suitable, as well as plant leaves and vegetables, which can be used as compresses or lotions.
Burdock is a plant that can be found in almost every garden. Many consider it a weed. However, few people know that burdock root has powerful healing properties, effectively coping with the problem of treating acute elbow bursitis. To prepare a decoction, take two tablespoons of chopped burdock root and pour a liter of boiling water. Place the container with the contents on the stove and let the liquid boil for 5 minutes. Leave the resulting broth to infuse under the closed lid for 15 minutes and use it to apply compresses to the sore joint. Wrap the bandage on top with a downy scarf so that the broth penetrates the skin better, and leave the compress for at least 2 hours.
To speed up recovery, carry out this procedure daily for at least three weeks.
An affordable and cheap remedy that is likely to be found in every housewife’s refrigerator is white cabbage. Its leaves can be used for compresses. However, before use, it is necessary to cut out all the veiny places from the leaves and lightly beat them with a rolling pin so that they release the juice. Then cover the joint with the prepared cabbage compress and secure it with a gauze bandage. It is recommended to insulate the joint with a scarf. To ensure that the result does not take long to arrive, the compress must be worn constantly for a week, changing it every 4 hours for a new one. Usually during this time there is no trace of the symptoms of bursitis.
From vegetables, you can also use grated potatoes or beets in the form of compresses, also holding them on the sore joint for 4 hours.
It is difficult to imagine the home of a true keeper of the hearth without indoor flowers, and especially without Kalanchoe. However, this plant can delight you not only with its aesthetic appearance, but also be very useful in the treatment of bursitis. To do this, cut off several leaves of the plant in the morning, scald them with boiling water, gently remembering so that they release the juice. Then apply the prepared leaves to the sore joint and secure the compress with a bandage. As the dressing dries, replace the Kalanchoe leaves with new ones. Repeat the procedure daily, and the disease will subside within a few days.
Stock up on a bottle of bile at the pharmacy, and also prepare two glasses of horse chestnut fruit and three sheets of crushed aloe leaves. Now mix all the ingredients thoroughly and leave them to steep for 1.5 weeks. After the expiration date, dip a linen bandage into the prepared tincture and apply it to the sore spot, and secure it on top with a warm scarf. The basic course is 10 days. Afterwards it is recommended to take a ten-day break and, if necessary, repeat the treatment.
Propolis lotions are a simple and effective way to treat elbow bursitis. Prepare 20 g of propolis and pour it with a glass of high-quality vodka or alcohol. Mix the resulting composition and leave it to infuse for a week. Then dip the prepared sterile gauze bandage into the liquid and apply for 5-10 minutes. to the sore joint. Continue this procedure daily, repeating it as long as necessary.
In combination with lotions, also use a mixture with propolis for internal use. To do this, you need to mix 15 g of propolis with 100 g of natural butter. Eat a teaspoon of this mixture 3 times a day an hour before meals, and bursitis will gradually recede.
In addition to the fact that baths have an excellent healing effect and contribute to the rapid recovery of a sore joint, they also perfectly relax the body after a grueling day at work.
Prepare fresh pine needles; both pine and spruce branches and green cones will do. Soak them in cool water and then boil for half an hour. Leave the prepared broth to infuse in a closed container for about 20 hours until the solution turns brown. If you are going to do a full body bath, then you will need about 1.5 kg. pine needles, and for a small bath in the treatment of bursitis - about 300–500 g.
The resulting pine concentrate must be added to a bath with a water temperature of 37 to 40°C. The duration of one procedure is 20 minutes. Adjust the number of days of use yourself, depending on the degree of recovery.
To take one full bath you will need about 1 kg of hay dust, and for local baths - about 100-150 g. After you have decided on the amount of raw materials, fill it with cool water and boil the composition for 30 minutes. At the end of the cooking process, allow the drug to cool to a temperature of 37 ° C and take a local or general bath for 10 minutes.
To consolidate the therapeutic result, hay dust can also be used in the form of a compress, applying it hot to the area of the sore joint.
It is possible to get rid of bursitis of the elbow joint in the shortest possible time if you approach the treatment of the disease in a comprehensive manner. Drink medicinal tea and juices in the morning, make lotions and compresses during the day, and take healing baths in the evening.