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
Elbow bursitis is a very common condition that can occur in some occupations. It should be noted that this is a rather complex joint disease, which is characterized by an inflammatory process, otherwise it is inflammation of the elbow joint. Scientifically speaking, bursitis occurs in the so-called bursa, which contains synovial fluid. This fluid acts as a lubricant during constant operation of the elbow. Next, bursitis of the elbow joint will be discussed in detail: surgery on video, treatment, symptoms and diagnosis of this disease.
As medical practice shows, most often people with this disease develop post-traumatic elbow bursitis, or prepatellar bursitis syndrome. It must be said that elbow bursitis itself is not a very serious disease; its post-traumatic stage, during which the development and infection of bacteria such as:
At this stage, the infectious stage begins to develop, at which a post-traumatic effect may appear. If you do not see a doctor in time, ordinary bursitis of the elbow joint can develop into acute bursitis of the elbow joint.
In addition, there are a number of direct causes, so-called external factors, that influence the conception of the disease.
Depending on the duration of the disease and the nature of individual development, there are 3 types of bursitis:
According to the nature of the fluid accumulating in the bursa, the following are distinguished:
After the first symptoms have been identified, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor and verify the presence or absence of the disease. Most often, bursitis can be easily determined through a routine examination by an orthopedic traumatologist. However, there are cases when there is no exact certainty that this is really inflammation. In such cases, the following methods are used to clarify and specify the disease:
As mentioned earlier, to treat the disease it is necessary to diagnose it as early as possible. Therefore, different treatment methods will be considered depending on the degree and nature of development:
First aid
For direct treatment, special injections are used, which are administered intramuscularly and intravenously. They have a different character at once: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, absorbable. So with injections you can achieve several desired effects simultaneously. The injections contain the following components:
In addition, some cases can be treated initially with regular iodine tinctures. To do this, you need to treat the wound with iodine and perform the procedure for several days, 2 times a day.
In the initial stages of the disease, in order to avoid surgery, you can get by with ordinary ointments. The following are great:
One of the most ancient and effective methods of treatment is the method of treating bursitis with leeches. Leeches are organisms that feed exclusively on pus and pathogenic bacteria, so when they penetrate the site of infection, they begin to remove pus from the wound. Then, penetrating the wound, leeches perform the following functions:
Leeches secrete a special liquid called destabilase. It destroys blood clots and eliminates clots of pus and blood, after which the leech itself begins to eat the remains, resulting in complete cleansing of the tissues from pus.
Physiotherapy includes various methods to combat bursitis.
Aching pain in the elbow joint, difficulty bending and straightening the arm, lumbago and swelling of the elbow indicate the presence of the disease. Elbow bursitis occurs for many reasons. In the absence of proper treatment, it gradually becomes chronic and causes a lot of unpleasant pain.
The inflammatory process occurs in the joint capsule in most cases without visible symptoms. The anatomical structure of the joint allows the disease to develop inside the joint capsules without affecting the functioning of the joints. As the disease becomes more complicated, external changes begin to appear.
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For the correct treatment process, it is necessary to establish the cause of the disease. The main reasons for the development of elbow bursitis:
There are also other reasons that are very rare. Often, several unfavorable factors can be the cause of the disease.
The first manifestations of the onset of the disease are discomfort and pain when changing the position of the hand. Bending and straightening the elbow after holding the arm in one position for a long time becomes difficult.
Swelling and changes in the shape of the skin around the elbow joint. Symptoms increase in the absence of specific treatment. An increase in local temperature and redness of the skin indicates the addition of an infectious process.
In complicated conditions, body temperature rises, and intoxication phenomena are observed during the purulent process of bursitis.
When the first symptoms of bursitis appear, consultation with a specialist is necessary. The latent course of the disease leads to a chronic type of disease, which significantly complicates the diagnosis and treatment of the elbow joint. The final diagnosis is established after a complete examination of the patient.
The diagnostic examination includes the following activities:
For a successful treatment process, you should first of all limit movement and stress on the elbow joint. It is recommended to use special fixing bandages or an elastic bandage.
Even “advanced” joint problems can be cured at home! Just remember to apply this once a day.
The use of medications is prescribed according to the degree of neglect of bursitis. Anti-inflammatory drugs for the osteoarticular system are used for all degrees of the disease.
Antibacterial therapy is used for complicated suppurative processes with the parallel use of drugs or dietary supplements to preserve intestinal flora.
Chronic bursitis should be treated with medications to improve blood and lymph circulation. Symptoms of edema are reduced with the use of diuretics.
In the complex treatment of elbow bursitis, physiological therapeutic measures are prescribed:
Drug therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and treatment with folk remedies have a beneficial effect on the condition of the elbow joint. During the acute period of the disease and in the remission stage, a special menu is recommended.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of salt and foods that accumulate water in the body. You should increase your consumption of vegetables and fruits containing increased amounts of vitamins and microelements. Popular recommendations are herbal teas and dried fruit compote.
Before using any home treatment, consult a doctor. It is important to exclude allergic reactions to the products used.
Compresses with fresh potatoes relieve inflammation well. Symptoms go away after several treatments. Grate the potatoes on a coarse grater or cut into thin slices, place on a cotton cloth and apply to the sore joint. Cover the top with cling film and a warm scarf. Can be left overnight.
At home, wrapping cabbage leaves effectively relieves swelling and dulls pain. Fresh leaves are slightly crumpled and applied to the sore joint. On top there is compress paper and thick fabric or a woolen scarf. The compress is applied for several hours or overnight.
You can treat a sore elbow with a compress with dimexide yourself at home. It is necessary to dilute one part of dimexide and five parts of boiled water or saline solution. Apply to the elbow for two hours, in severe cases for three, it is not recommended to hold longer to avoid skin burns.
Lotions with propolis are an effective remedy for bursitis. Take 100 ml of vodka and 10 grams of propolis, leave at room temperature for a week. Moisten a linen or cotton cloth with the prepared solution and apply it to the inflamed joint. Also, you should not keep the compress on the joint for more than three hours.
Warm compresses made from flax seeds give good results at home. Heat 100 grams of seeds, place them in a fabric or gauze bag and apply to the inflamed area until the seeds cool. This method can be treated for two weeks.
Kalanchoe leaves can be applied as a pain reliever. The sheet is cut lengthwise and placed in the freezer. When the sheet freezes, it is wrapped in gauze and applied to the painful area.
Another folk recipe. Burdock root, dried or fresh (it is better to take burdock that is at least 2 years old). Pour half a liter of boiling water over 10 grams of root and leave for 30 minutes. Then take linen cloth or gauze in six layers, moisten it and apply it to the elbow. Cover the top with cling film and a warm scarf. The procedure should be carried out for at least two weeks.
Traditional healers have noted that it is useful to drink grapefruit juice three times a day, 100 ml after meals. Metabolism is actively activated and diseased cells are removed from the body.
This folk method has long been known. Fresh pine or spruce needles are taken, filled with water and boiled for half an hour. Leave for 10-12 hours. Elbow baths are done daily for a month.
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Treatment with traditional methods, together with medications and physical therapy, gives excellent results if you consult a doctor in a timely manner.
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What is elbow bursitis (bursitis of the elbow bursa, bursitis of the elbow joint )?
Elbow bursitis (bursitis of the ulnar bursa, bursitis of the elbow joint) is an inflammation of the ulnar bursa, which is located between the skin and the olecranon process of the ulna. The bag is located on the back surface in the area of the elbow joint. When there is inflammation, inflammatory fluid appears in the bursa, and the walls of the bursa thicken and become painful. Elbow bursitis can cause a number of problems due to limited function of the elbow joint.
Causes of development of elbow bursitis (bursitis of the elbow bursa, bursitis of the elbow joint)?
The causes of inflammation can be different, from a banal injury to an infection. According to the classification, bursitis is divided into septic (infectious) and aseptic (inflammatory) bursitis. Both types of bursitis are characteristic of the ulnar bursa.
In some cases, the ulnar bursa may be damaged by a direct mechanism of injury, such as a blow or fall onto the elbow joint. The injury causes tears in the tissue of the ulnar bursa and hemorrhage into the cavity of the ulnar bursa. In some cases, blood may completely fill the cavity of the elbow bursa and the bursa may swell, causing the elbow joint to take on its characteristic shape.
It is believed that blood accumulated in the cavity of the ulnar bursa triggers an inflammatory reaction. As a result of inflammation, the walls of the ulnar bursa thicken, become less elastic and their sliding properties disappear. As a result, ulnar bursitis develops.
Elbow bursitis can occur due to constant pressure on the elbow joint area. Some workers perform work in a position where they rest their elbows on a hard surface. If the elbow is constantly injured, this leads to the development of inflammation and bursitis of the ulnar bursa develops.
Elbow bursitis can be caused by infection. A small scratch or puncture in the area of the ulnar bursa can lead to infection. Or, after an injury, the infection can enter the damaged tissue of the ulnar bursa through the bloodstream from a source of chronic infection in the body, for example, a carious tooth. The infection leads to the accumulation of pus in the cavity of the ulnar bursa. The consequences of infectious elbow bursitis can be quite serious.
What are the symptoms of elbow bursitis?
Bursitis of the ulnar bursa is manifested by pain and swelling in the area of the olecranon process. When examined during palpation (feeling), the ulnar bursa is painful. In this condition, it is very painful to place your elbow on a hard surface. If ulnar bursitis does not go away for a long time, then the inflammation becomes chronic. There may be a feeling that lumps have appeared in the ulnar bursa in the inflammatory fluid. This suggests that the ulnar bursa, in response to chronic inflammation, became even thicker and folds formed. These folds feel like lumps.
The ulnar bursa can increase in size several times. This occurs due to thickening of the walls of the ulnar bursa and filling of the ulnar bursa with inflammatory fluid. The amount of inflammatory fluid is usually associated with the phase of inflammation. If inflammation is in the active phase, then the amount of inflammatory fluid increases and the bag increases in size. With large sizes of the ulnar bursa, the elbow joint, when viewed from the side, takes on a characteristic appearance.
If an ulnar bursa infection occurs, the elbow becomes swollen, very painful, and warm to the touch. In this case, in addition to local signs of inflammation (pain, redness, increased local temperature, swelling), general ones develop - fever, chills, changes in blood tests. Emergency surgical intervention is required - opening and drainage of the ulnar bursa. If you do not consult a doctor and do not open the ulnar bursa, the abscess may rupture on its own, but systemic complications may arise.
What is the diagnosis of elbow bursitis?
Differential diagnosis of ulnar bursitis is carried out with diseases such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis of the elbow joint.
The diagnosis of ulnar bursitis becomes obvious after examining the patient. The diagnosis is so obvious that the use of special examination methods is not required, with the exception of a radiograph (photograph) of the elbow joint in the lateral projection. An x-ray is required not to establish a diagnosis, but to assess the condition of the olecranon process of the ulna. Sometimes, due to injury or chronic inflammation, an osteophyte (bone spike) forms on the olecranon. The osteophyte often further injures the ulnar bursa, maintaining inflammation. An x-ray helps to decide the choice of treatment method for ulnar bursitis. If the osteophyte on the olecranon is large enough, then it is advisable to perform surgical treatment of bursitis with resection of the osteophyte.
If it is not clear to the doctor whether the bursitis is inflammatory or infectious, then a puncture of the ulnar bursa is performed and the resulting fluid sample is sent for testing to the laboratory. Cultures of the liquid are performed to identify microflora and determine its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. Thus, the doctor receives an answer to two questions: is bursitis infectious or inflammatory and, if bursitis is infectious, then what antibiotic should be used to treat it.
What is the treatment for elbow bursitis?
Traumatic ulnar bursitis can be treated conservatively. If a significant amount of blood has accumulated as a result of the injury, a puncture is performed with a thick needle or a small incision is made to remove all the accumulated blood from the cavity of the ulnar bursa. The question of the advisability of a puncture is decided by the doctor. There is a small risk of infection of the ulnar bursa during these manipulations, so the puncture is performed in the dressing room in compliance with all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis. After the puncture, a sterile bandage is applied.
Chronic bursitis of the ulnar bursa is a problem that can reduce the ability to work and impair the quality of life. Swelling and pain are the main manifestations. Normal daily activities can cause discomfort. Treatment usually begins with an attempt to relieve the inflammatory syndrome. Measures to relieve inflammation include resting the elbow joint and using anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs such as diclofenac, voltaren, ibuprofen are used to relieve inflammation and swelling.
If there is inflammatory fluid in the bag, then a puncture can be performed to remove the fluid and further laboratory examination. During the puncture, provided there are no signs of infection in the cavity of the ulnar bursa and there are no other contraindications, a small amount of a steroid such as cortisone may be administered. Steroid drugs are strong anti-inflammatory drugs. Its anti-inflammatory effect can last for several weeks.
Consultation with a physiotherapist is necessary. A physiotherapist will help you choose physiotherapeutic procedures, taking into account all the features and contraindications. Using heat, cold, ultrasound, or UHF usually helps reduce pain and swelling. Using cold or heat treatments will help improve the condition at home. Cold is usually indicated immediately after injury, thermal procedures - during chronic inflammation; in any case, the use of any methods of exposure should be discussed with a doctor.
If the bursitis is infectious, then the ulnar bursa must be completely drained, that is, all inflammatory fluid or pus must be removed. A prerequisite is to ensure rest of the elbow joint and prescribe antibacterial drugs. Patients with infectious bursitis are observed by a doctor until the inflammation completely disappears.
Drainage of the ulnar bursa
If an acute infection develops or microorganisms are isolated from the fluid obtained from the ulnar bursa, drainage of the ulnar bursa is necessary. The ulnar bursa is opened surgically, that is, a small incision is made through which the discharge can be completely drained. Sometimes, to improve outflow, it is advisable to use a tube or half-tube. After the outflow of the discharge is ensured, the patient is observed until the wound is completely healed. Usually, improvement occurs within a few days. For infectious bursitis, antibacterial drugs must be prescribed.
Removal of the bursa (bursectomy)
With chronic bursitis, the walls of the bursa thicken, the bursa increases in size, and folds of the bursa appear. With conservative treatment, it is possible to relieve inflammation, but after some time the inflammatory process worsens again. Carrying out work and daily activities becomes difficult. In this case, it is worth considering surgical treatment - removal of the ulnar bursa.
An incision is made in the projection of the ulnar bursa. The bag is excised. Determining the boundaries of the bag usually does not cause difficulties, since its walls are significantly thickened. After removing the bursa itself, the olecranon process must be examined. Any unevenness on the olecranon process should be removed and its surface smoothed. After this, the skin is sutured in layers. After the operation, it is advisable to place the arm in a splint for several days to ensure rest and better healing of the postoperative wound, after which rehabilitation measures can begin.
Since in this area it is necessary to ensure the sliding of the skin over the olecranon process, a new bag of connective tissue is formed in the body. This happens during the rehabilitation process some time after surgery. In order for this process to proceed without complications, it is advisable to undergo a prescribed rehabilitation program.
Rehabilitation after treatment of elbow bursitis
During conservative treatment
During conservative treatment, any special rehabilitation is usually not required. It is necessary to limit motor activity in the elbow joint during the development of inflammation. After the inflammation begins to resolve, an increase in the load and range of motion in the elbow joint is allowed. Some people are not bothered by an enlarged ulnar bursa. Elbow bursitis that is not associated with an infection may resolve on its own without any treatment.
After surgical treatment
After surgery, for better wound healing, the elbow joint is fixed with a plaster splint. If the wound heals without complications, then the splint is removed for 3-5 days and the rehabilitation process begins. The first few classes are spent with a physical therapy instructor who helps you perform the necessary exercises. Typically, rehabilitation does not cause problems, and after several sessions patients can practice at home without supervision by an instructor. Recovery is quite fast. If the work is not associated with constant movements in the elbow joint and support on the elbow, then it is possible to return to everyday activities after 3-4 weeks. If elbow support is required, rehabilitation may take 2-3 months. During this time, it is necessary to completely avoid resting on the elbow joint.
Where does elbow bursitis occur?
Near the elbow joint there are synovial bursae (bursae) containing fluid that allows the elbow to function silently and painlessly.
When one of the bags, several or all, becomes inflamed, the volume of fluid contained in them increases, its composition changes, and pain appears.
A round swelling filled with liquid forms on the outside of the elbow, sometimes its surface is hotter than the surface of the rest of the body.
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- professional activities related to the load on the elbow joint: the professions of a watchmaker, jeweler, driver, baker and the like
- sports activity: playing tennis, badminton, golf, hockey without first warming up the joint
- single acute elbow injury
- repetitive injuries to the elbow area
- joint diseases: arthritis, arthrosis, gout can be complicated by bursitis
Visible induration or swelling around the injured elbow, which becomes a swelling of 7-10 centimeters in size within a few days.
Due to the increase in the volume of fluid in the synovial bursa, pain is gradually localized in the swollen area, but it remains possible to fully bend and straighten the elbow.
If bursitis is left untreated, inflammation spreads to nearby joint tissues.
The body temperature rises to 40°C, the swelling becomes bright red, and the patient may require hospitalization.
Based on the manifestations of symptoms, the contents of the synovial bursae are determined and the forms and stages of the disease are distinguished.
In a mild form, serous fluid accumulates in the elbow joint.
In hemorrhagic, blood is added to the serous fluid.
In severe cases, the joint cavity is filled with pus.
The stages of bursitis, like other diseases, are:
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The correct diagnosis can be made by a doctor: a surgeon, a vertebrologist, an orthopedist.
When making a diagnosis, it is important to distinguish bursitis from: gout, arthrosis, septic and rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow joint.
To make a diagnosis of bursitis, special medications are usually not required. The doctor only needs to conduct an external examination and obtain a lateral X-ray of the elbow.
The image is necessary to assess the condition of the olecranon process of the ulna.
Because after an injury or prolonged inflammation, a bone spike (osteophyte) grows in the olecranon, further injuring the ulnar bursa and provoking inflammation.
If the bone spine has reached a large size, it is advisable to remove it surgically.
If, during an external examination and systematization of symptoms, it is not clear whether an infection has joined the inflammation or not, a puncture is taken from the ulnar bursa.
The resulting liquid is examined in the laboratory, identifying microflora and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
It can be treated conservatively, that is, without surgery, or surgically, that is, with surgery on the elbow joint.
If bursitis occurs after an acute injury and, as a result, a lot of blood has accumulated in the joint, an incision is made to remove blood and infected fluid or aspiration (pumping out fluid with special instruments).
Since during these manipulations there is a risk of infection in the ulnar bursa, the operation must be carried out under conditions of strict adherence to antiseptic standards, and after it a sterile bandage is applied.
If bursitis has acquired a chronic form, reduced the performance of the joint and worsened the quality of life in general, treatment is aimed at relieving inflammation by maximizing immobilization of the joint by wearing a soft elastic bandage and using anti-inflammatory drugs.
Diclofenac, Voltaren in the form of ointments, Ibuprofen in the form of ointments and tablets cope with this task.
If there is a significant accumulation of fluid in the joint, a puncture is performed.
If it shows that there is no infection in the ulnar bursa and there are no other contraindications, the doctor may administer a small steroid such as cortisone.
Since steroid drugs are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, its effect lasts for several weeks.
The addition of physiotherapy has a long-term positive effect on the course of acute forms of bursitis.
Taking into account the peculiarities of the course of the disease and contraindications in each case, the physiotherapist prescribes the use of thermal or cryoprocedures (cold treatment), wraps, ultrasound, UHF, which effectively reduce swelling and pain.
If the bursitis is infectious, the ulnar bursa must be opened and drained, that is, all inflammatory fluid or pus is removed from it.
The joint is certainly immobilized with a soft bandage or splints, and the patient is prescribed antibiotics.
The doctor's observation continues until complete recovery!
In chronic or recurrent forms of bursitis, the walls of the ulnar bursa thicken, its size increases, and folds form.
Conservative treatment is used to relieve acute inflammation.
An incision is made in the projection of the ulnar bursa, and the enlarged bursa is excised with a scalpel.
Next, the olecranon process is examined, any unevenness is removed from it, its surface is smoothed so that the new connective tissue bag is not damaged by it.
The skin is sutured layer by layer and the arm is placed in a splint for several days until the postoperative wound heals.
After the wound has healed, joint rehabilitation measures begin.
If healing of the postoperative wound is successful, the splint is removed after 3-5 days.
And they begin physical therapy classes under the guidance of an instructor, who adjusts the intensity of the load and selects exercises.
After a set of exercises has been developed, the patient performs it at home independently.
If work requires support on the elbow, rehabilitation can last 2-3 months.
If the work does not involve stress on the elbow joint, recovery occurs in 3-4 weeks.
In most cases, the prognosis for a diagnosis of bursitis is favorable, but still the best treatment is to prevent the disease!
The present invention relates to medicine, namely to orthopedics and traumatology, and can be used in the surgical treatment of chronic and acute forms of olecranon bursitis of various etiologies.
One of the problems of modern traumatology and orthopedics is the further development of effective surgical methods for treating olecranon bursitis of various etiologies. Bursitis is an inflammation of the periarticular synovial bursa with accumulation of effusion (exudate) in its cavity. The causes of bursitis are most often mechanical damage (bruises, chronic trauma), less often infections, metabolic disorders, intoxication, allergic reactions, autoimmune processes. Exudate or effusion that accumulates in the cavity of the periarticular synovial bursa may be serous, purulent or hemorrhagic in nature.
The leading symptom of bursitis - inflammation of the synovial bursa - is the appearance of a local, round, mobile swelling in the joint area, often painful on palpation and movement, in the area of which the temperature is usually increased. Inflammation of the periarticular synovial bursa can disrupt (limit) the motor function of the limb (difficulty bending and straightening the elbow joint, etc.). According to the course of the disease, “acute bursitis” and “chronic bursitis” are distinguished. Clinically, bursitis is manifested by swelling, local pain in the area of the bursa, skin hyperemia, local increase in skin temperature, dysfunction of the adjacent joint.
Conservative treatment of acute bursitis is recognized. As a rule, it is performed on an outpatient basis. In the first 5-7 days, rest is recommended, a splint is applied to limit movement in the joint, and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. In some cases, hormonal drugs (kenalog-40, hydrocortisone) in combination with antibiotics are injected into the joint capsule. After eliminating the signs of acute inflammation, alcohol compresses are prescribed at night, hydrocortisone phonophoresis, UHF therapy, and UV irradiation are performed. Recently, it has been proven that in many cases, olecranon bursitis is actually purulent. Often purulent bursitis is misdiagnosed as non-purulent. In a recent study, Staphylococcus aureus was cultured in a large number of cases of patients with olecranon bursitis after evacuation and examination of the exudate. Moreover, 76% of pathogens turned out to be resistant to penicillin. For purulent bursitis, patients are referred to a surgeon; puncture or surgery is indicated - opening the synovial bursa and removing pus, followed by treatment of the wound according to the general rules of surgery. Chronic post-traumatic bursitis is treated promptly. With chronic post-traumatic bursitis, relapses are possible.
Aseptic inflammation is usually caused by permanent trauma to the joint area (traumatic bursitis). Local treatment: immobilization of the affected joint for 2-3 weeks, physiotherapy. In case of serous and serous-hemorrhagic inflammation, the bursa is punctured, the contents are evacuated, the cavity is washed, and antiseptics are administered. These forms of inflammation of the bursae are treated on an outpatient basis under the supervision of a surgeon. For purulent bursitis, hospital treatment is indicated, because surgical intervention is required - bursectomy. The most common localization of the purulent process is the knee and elbow joints. If the synovial bursa communicates with the joint cavity, then a synovectomy (removal of the synovial membrane of the joint) is often performed. In the postoperative period, immobilization is carried out with a plaster splint to subside the inflammatory phenomena, antibiotics and physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. During rehabilitation treatment, the load is gradually increased. The operation is performed in the surgical department (purulent), and rehabilitation treatment is performed on an outpatient basis. Chronic arthritis is characterized by systemic lesions. In the clinical picture, general signs of the inflammatory process come to the fore: intoxication phenomena, increased temperature, accelerated ESR. Clinical manifestations of the disease vary depending on the etiology of the form of arthritis. Treatment is complex: specific anti-inflammatory, local for damage to the synovial bursa and detoxification nonspecific therapy. The course of the disease is chronic. In the acute period, it is carried out in a hospital, and during the remission period, dispensary observation is established (examination at least 2-3 times a year). Depending on the etiology of arthritis, treatment is carried out by various specialists - phthisiatrician, dermatologist, rheumatologist. The prognosis depends on the etiology of arthritis.
Reactive arthritis, accompanied by damage to the synovial bursae, can occur with tumors of the synovial membrane (benign and malignant synoviomas. Treatment is surgical. The prognosis for life is often unfavorable). Bursa tumors originate from the same tissues as many joint tumors.
Analyzing data from foreign and domestic literature devoted to the surgical treatment of olecranon bursitis of various etiologies, it should be noted that these are the most effective methods of treating them. However, among the described methods there are no clear indications for the use of each of them, as well as an analysis of the long-term results of operated patients using each of the surgical methods. In a large number of unsuccessfully treated conservatively serous and hemorrhagic bursitis, surgical treatment is an absolute indication. Without surgical treatment, there is always the possibility of acute bursitis becoming chronic with all changes in local tissues and joint function. With inadequate treatment, patients with bursitis experience pain and dysfunction of the elbow joint and limbs. Patients who have not received adequate treatment are eventually forced to return to the orthopedic traumatologist. Unoperated bursitis can lead to the spread of the purulent process to adjacent areas, the development of phlegmon of the shoulder and forearm, and purulent arthritis of the elbow joint. These complications dramatically change the entire picture of treatment and possible consequences. Long-term, delayed treatment leads to severe atrophy of the limb, which is accompanied by contractures requiring long-term rehabilitation. These complications can be avoided using minimally invasive and non-traumatic surgical methods.
There is a known method of treating olecranon bursitis of various etiologies, which involves opening the bursa with removal of the contents and parts of the bursa (A.V. Konychev Purulent-inflammatory diseases of the upper limb. M.: Binom, 2002, 350 pp., pp. 308-314) . - see Fig.3 (Fig.3 is given as an additional explanation), where 6 is operational access; 7 - remainder of the bursa; 8 - bottom of the wound - olecranon.
If there are signs of purulent inflammation, under general anesthesia, a vertical incision is made along the posterior surface of the olecranon from the upper pole of the inflamed bursa to the lower pole 6. Only the upper part of the bursa is excised. When tissue in a wound is removed, the entire damaged part bleeds. This results in extensive soft tissue damage. The area of the bursa adjacent to the periosteum is left in wound 7, but the serous membrane is removed using a Volkmann spoon. This manipulation may damage the integrity of the elbow joint. In the postoperative period, the wound is treated only in an open manner. The bottom of the wound after surgery is the olecranon process 8. Physiotherapy and other thermal procedures are prescribed no earlier than 3-4 days after surgery. As a rule, wound cleansing and healing occurs slowly; within 5-7 days, abundant serous-purulent exudate is released from it. Complete cleansing of the wound and the appearance of granulations are an indication for the beginning of its closure. The edges of the wound are brought together with strips of adhesive plaster (adhesive sutures). When the process moves into the second phase (complete cleansing of the wound and active growth of granulations), it is advisable to apply secondary sutures according to Donati, which significantly reduces the treatment time and allows for early formation of an elastic scar. To prevent dermoid contractures of the elbow joint, it is recommended to prescribe early “development” (2-3 days after surgery) of the elbow joint. This not only improves blood flow, but also accelerates the formation of an elastic, easily movable scar that is not fused to the underlying tissues. After the operation, aseptic dressings are applied. After surgery, the arm is placed in a sling in abduction position and all physical therapy treatment is started from this arm position. In subsequent treatment, prolonged immobilization of the elbow joint is avoided. Postoperative rehabilitation time is 4-5 weeks.
Disadvantages of olecranon bursectomy:
1) Extensive access in the area of the olecranon with massive excision of soft tissue, including the synovial membrane, which predisposes to suppuration and an inflammatory reaction.
2) Long-term healing of the postoperative wound.
3) Development of postoperative contracture of the elbow joint.
4) The likelihood of developing iatrogenic chronic osteomyelitis of the olecranon.
5) The likelihood of iatrogenic damage to the elbow joint during excision of the synovial membrane, with its infection.
The closest analogue is the method described by P.S. Simon, S.J. Koenigsknecht - “Emergency orthopedics of a limb.” Translation from English by A.R. Mareev, M.: “Medicine”, 1998, 621 pp., pp. 458-463). For purulent bursitis, the bursa is opened in the operating room. Under general anesthesia, a vertical incision is made along the posterior surface of the olecranon in the projection of the inflamed bursa. The contents of the bag are removed, while the altered tissues, as well as hypergranulations, are removed. Economical excision of soft tissue is carried out within healthy tissue. Carry out thorough sanitation of the wound and hemostasis. To ensure free outflow of contents from the wound, the postoperative wound is drained. Postoperative wound management is carried out in an open manner. Physiotherapy and other thermal procedures are prescribed 4 days after surgery. Wound healing is slow. The wound is closed after complete cleansing of the wound. The edges of the wound are brought together by applying secondary sutures, which significantly reduces the treatment time. The emergency department begins treatment with appropriate antibiotics. The authors recommend intravenous antibiotics and bursa drainage. This method of treatment gives a positive effect.
Disadvantages of opening the olecranon bursa according to PP Simon:
1) Extensive access in the area of the olecranon predisposes to suppuration and an inflammatory reaction.
2) Long-term healing of the postoperative wound.
3) Insufficient drainage of the postoperative wound.
4) The likelihood of developing iatrogenic osteomyelitis of the olecranon.
1. Reduce the likelihood of developing osteomyelitis of the olecranon.
2. Prevent the development of infectious postoperative complications.
3. Reduce the time of postoperative treatment and wound healing.
4. Prevent the development of postoperative contracture of the elbow joint.
5. Reduce injuries and terms of medical and social rehabilitation.
A method of surgical treatment of olecranon bursitis, the essence of the proposal is the opening and removal of the contents of the bursa, and paraolecronal incisions 1.0-3.0 cm long are made on both sides, cutting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and synovial membrane, and after removing the contents of the bursa through the incisions provide through drainage, the arm is brought into a position bent at the elbow joint at an angle of 90-100°, and the drainage is removed after the discharge from the wound has stopped.
The technical result of the method is:
1) The method is inexpensive to implement, does not require extensive surgical access, and has a smaller area of soft tissue damage.
2) Reduces the likelihood of developing osteomyelitis of the olecranon.
3) Prevents the development of infectious postoperative complications.
4) Reduces the time of postoperative treatment and wound healing.
5) Prevents the development of postoperative contracture of the elbow joint.
The method was tested on 355 patients over 12 years.
Almost all operated patients were followed up for up to 4 weeks. Observations allow us to conclude that the proposed method is sufficiently effective.
The method is carried out as follows. The manipulation is performed under local anesthesia. The contents of the bursa are opened and removed, paraolecronal incisions 1.0-3.0 cm long are made on both sides opposite the bursa, the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and synovial membrane are dissected. After removing the contents of the bursa, through the incisions, through drainage is performed. The patient's arm is brought into a position bent at the elbow joint at an angle of 90-100°, in which there is optimally no cavity in the operation area and no place for contents to accumulate in the wound. The hand is placed on a scarf. The drainage is removed after the discharge from the wound stops. The manipulation is carried out under visual control. Immobilization in a scarf is carried out for 1-2 weeks. After removing the scarf, contracture development is prescribed with the help of physical therapy until the function of the limb is restored (an average of 2-3 weeks). It should be especially emphasized that the implementation of the method leads to a complete cure of all types of bursitis, including both acute and chronic. For the purposes of preoperative examination of patients, as well as when studying long-term results of treatment, in addition to clinical methods, the X-ray method is used.
The method provides for some application restrictions:
1) Severe encephalopathy.
2) Skin damage to the elbow joint.
4) Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation.
Example. Patient S., 59 years old, was admitted to the clinic on June 14, 2007, four days after a domestic injury - he received an injury to the olecranon process during work, after which bursitis of the elbow joint developed.
Hospitalized for surgical treatment with a diagnosis of serous-hemorrhagic bursitis of the olecranon on the right. Figure 1 shows the treatment regimen. After the examination, an operation was performed: opening of the bursa 1 of the olecranon 2. Under local anesthesia, two paraolecronal incisions 3, 2.0 cm long, were made on both sides, cutting through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and synovial membrane, the contents of the bursa were opened and removed, and after removal of the contents of the bursa, through the incisions, through drainage 4 was carried out, after which the arm was brought into a position bent at the elbow joint at an angle of 90-100° (Fig. 2) and the drainage was removed on 06/23/07 after the discharge from the wound stopped. Immobilization in a soft scarf 5 until healing. After removing the bandage, the contracture was developed through physical therapy until function was restored within a week.
The treatment result is satisfactory. The function of the limb has been restored almost completely. In the long-term follow-up period, no unsatisfactory treatment results were revealed.
The method is recommended for widespread use in the surgical treatment of olecranon bursitis.
A method of surgical treatment of olecranon bursitis, including opening and removing the contents of the bursa, characterized in that two paraolecronal incisions 1.0-3.0 cm long are made on both sides of the bursa, cutting through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and synovial membrane and after removing the contents Through the incisions, through the bursa, through drainage is carried out, the arm is brought into a position bent at the elbow joint at an angle of 90-100°, and the drainage is removed after the discharge from the wound has stopped.
Bursitis of the elbow joint occurs when inflammation occurs in this very fluid. Synoval fluid begins to accumulate in the bursa in large quantities, resulting in pain. This is how this unfortunate disease develops.
As medical practice shows, most often people with this disease develop post-traumatic elbow bursitis, or prepatellar bursitis syndrome. It must be said that elbow bursitis itself is not a very serious disease; its post-traumatic stage, during which the development and infection of bacteria such as:
In addition, there are a number of direct causes, so-called external factors, that influence the conception of the disease.
Depending on the duration of the disease and the nature of individual development, there are 3 types of bursitis:
According to the nature of the fluid accumulating in the bursa, the following are distinguished:
As for surgery, each individual case requires an individual approach. Sometimes it is not possible to avoid surgery due to a severe case or an acute form of the disease, as is the case with purulent bursitis. That is why it is extremely important to immediately contact a specialist when the first symptoms occur and solve the problem at the root.
Thus, at the first manifestations of a possible illness, you should urgently consult a doctor and undergo an examination. You can get acquainted with this disease by watching the video. This video shows quite clearly how elbow diseases progress at various stages.
After the first symptoms have been identified, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor and verify the presence or absence of the disease. Most often, bursitis can be easily determined through a routine examination by an orthopedic traumatologist. However, there are cases when there is no exact certainty that this is really inflammation. In such cases, the following methods are used to clarify and specify the disease:
For purulent and hemorrhagic bursitis, antibacterial treatment is initially prescribed. These are so-called broad-spectrum antibiotics, which precede serious treatment until the type of disease is determined. In various videos you can see how the various stages of the disease develop.
Dimexide is used as the primary drug. It is used as follows: diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:4, after which compresses are soaked in this solution, which are then applied over the inflamed area. Dimexide has the ability to draw pus from a wound, so it is perfect as an initial treatment.
For direct treatment, special injections are used, which are administered intramuscularly and intravenously. They have a different character at once: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, absorbable. So with injections you can achieve several desired effects simultaneously. The injections contain the following components:
In the initial stages of the disease, in order to avoid surgery, you can get by with ordinary ointments. The following are great:
One of the most ancient and effective methods of treatment is the method of treating bursitis with leeches. Leeches are organisms that feed exclusively on pus and pathogenic bacteria, so when they penetrate the site of infection, they begin to remove pus from the wound. Then, penetrating the wound, leeches perform the following functions:
Physiotherapy includes various methods to combat bursitis.
If bursitis is at the stage of a purulent, acute or chronic condition, urgent surgical intervention is required. The operation, as practice shows, is not complicated, but very important, since it requires extreme attention during its implementation.
In case of surgery, you need to cut the bag, completely remove the pus from it and wash it with saline solution. Then you need to treat the wound with an antiseptic. Next, it is enough to inject 2 antibacterial injections under the skin and the wound can be sutured.
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The main classification of the disease under consideration considers two forms of its course - acute and chronic. They differ only in the intensity of the pain and the duration of the course:
There is a more expanded classification of bursitis:
Most often, the cause of the development of bursitis is injury to a specific place - a bruise, blow, abrasion. The second most common reason for the development of the disease in question is internal infection: osteomyelitis, boils, carbuncles, etc. But there is a separate list of reasons:
The most important symptom of the disease in question is swelling in the problem area. Moreover, the swelling has a round shape, elastic consistency, and clear boundaries. In addition, doctors identify other signs of a developing disease:
Since bursitis is inflammatory in nature, it is natural to develop general symptoms:
Typically, the patient visits the doctor because of severe pain in the affected areas and swelling. But this does not give a specialist a reason to immediately diagnose bursitis - a full examination will be required. The list of diagnostic measures includes:
Please note : some types of bursitis have symptoms and examination results identical to other diseases. Very often, doctors mistakenly diagnose arthritis or synovitis. In this case, more specialized specialists are invited for consultation, who will clarify the diagnosis using simple tests. Sample tests :
People with progressive bursitis cannot pass these two simple tests.
If a patient is diagnosed with acute bursitis, then the most important thing is to provide him with complete rest. In case of bursitis in the shoulder or elbow joint, the doctor will prescribe a plaster cast. With bursitis, there is always pain, which can disappear on its own a few hours after applying a bandage/fixation of the joint, but you can also take painkillers - they are selected by the attending physician on an individual basis.
Modern medicine involves treating the disease in question on an outpatient basis. Prescriptions boil down to completing a course of antibacterial therapy (antibiotics suppress the inflammatory process) and taking medications that strengthen the immune system. Physiotherapeutic procedures play an important role in the treatment of bursitis:
Physiotherapeutic measures activate metabolic processes in the body, relieve swelling and prevent stagnation.
Any treatment methods cannot be taken independently - even specific physiotherapeutic procedures must be prescribed by a specialist.
It is advisable to perform surgical intervention only in severe cases of chronic bursitis, when the patient already has calcium salt deposits. In this case, the source of inflammation (bursa) is opened, cleaned, the formed adhesions are cut out and the cavity is treated with an antiseptic solution. In some situations, the mucous part of the bursa is surgically removed; if the disease is too advanced and there is a risk of disability for the patient, then the bursa can be completely removed.
Important: many ordinary people recommend opening the site of inflammation at home (at least piercing it with a thick needle) and “draining” the accumulated liquid yourself. This is absolutely forbidden to do! Do not forget that the infection spreads throughout the body very quickly and with such independent interventions, the diagnosis of sepsis is almost guaranteed.
Please note: you cannot rely exclusively on folk remedies when treating bursitis. It is imperative to undergo examination by specialists, receive prescribed medications and strictly follow them. And only as auxiliary means can folk methods be used.
Here are the most common recipes:
Bursitis is a fairly common disease, not only among athletes (it is generally an occupational disease for this category of people), but also among everyone else. It is absolutely necessary to treat the disease in question, because it quickly becomes chronic. Therapy for bursitis of any kind is a long process that cannot be interrupted even with visible improvements in well-being. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid surgical intervention and completely get rid of the inflammatory process.
Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category
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Bursitis is classified according to duration:
Depending on what inflammatory and pathological processes develop in the synovial bursa of the elbow, bursitis is classified according to the type:
The video in this article shows an operation for purulent bursitis of the elbow:
Inflammatory pathology is also distinguished according to two more classifications:
The main reasons for the development of pathology are as follows:
If you suspect bursitis of the elbow joint, symptoms appear:
The pain and lump immobilizes the joint: it reduces the range of motion. Every movement causes pain throughout the entire arm. The patient loses his appetite, his temperature rises, general intoxication of the body begins, and weakness appears.
Conservative treatment is carried out in stages, as indicated in the table:
For recurrent bursitis and unclear etiology, limited range of motion and pain, arthroscopy of the elbow joint is performed.
General intravenous anesthesia is administered, an antiseptic treatment of the elbow is made, and two small punctures are made. Then a camera and micro-instruments are inserted through them. This operation is considered minimally invasive, so the recovery period after it will be shorter.
During arthroscopy:
Is sick leave given for elbow bursitis? In the acute stage, when the functions of the elbow joint decrease, after punctures and operations, patients are given a sick leave. Its duration is determined by the doctor depending on the patient’s condition.
After arthroscopy, patients are discharged for 2-3 days, but the sutures are removed after 2 weeks. Rehabilitation begins in the ward of the medical center and can last at home for several weeks or even months. The price of surgical intervention is from $560 or 1300 €, 2500-120020 rubles.
After surgery and in order to prevent bursitis, wearing orthoses or bandages on the elbow joint of various designs and types is prescribed.
Prevention of elbow bursitis also includes:
The threat of injury should be eliminated and traumatic effects on the elbow at work and during sports training should be prevented.