Many people know about such a disease as bursitis of the elbow joint, since many people suffer from this pathology. The disease is characterized by inflammation that appears in the synovial bursa of the joint.
Elbow bursitis develops slowly, but if left untreated, the affected joint will lose its mobility. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of the disease in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Bursitis has a lot of popular names, for example, “baker's hand” or “athlete's disease.” The disease has acquired so many names due to its frequent occurrence in people whose work involves constant stress on the elbow joint.
The elbow joint is surrounded by the wrist, intercutaneous and subcutaneous synovial bursa. Inflammation in this area develops if a pathological process begins to occur in one of the bags.
In this case, symptoms such as pain appear due to friction, due to the fact that the bone tissue is dehydrated.
There are several types of bursitis, where the following factors play an important role:
As a rule, the types are distinguished by the duration of bursitis:
The symptoms of each form manifest differently - they differ in the intensity of pain, their duration and the appearance of the elbow.
The general well-being of patients also varies - in some cases the patient feels normal, and sometimes his health deteriorates greatly.
Chronic elbow bursitis has the following symptoms: mild pain in the inflamed area, which persists for a long period of time. In this case, the mobility of the joint is not impaired, there are no tumor-like formations, but during palpation you can feel a small compaction.
Acute bursitis of the elbow joint is manifested by a sharp cutting pain that occurs when moving. The tumor in the affected area develops quickly, and the temperature also increases. The disease is accompanied by intoxication and dysfunction of the entire body.
Recurrent bursitis develops due to secondary disruption of the structure of the affected areas or their infection. Its origin is due to the fact that pathogenic exudate remains in the walls of the bags. Consequently, even minimal trauma can lead to relapse.
In addition to the above phases, there are at least 2 more classifications. The causes of the pathology make it possible to identify nonspecific or specific olecranon bursitis.
A specific form can develop in the case of prolonged physical work and even with minor injuries. A nonspecific type of disease occurs due to damage to the joint by harmful microorganisms (treponema, tuberculosis, gonococcus).
In addition, based on the composition of the synovial mass, bursitis is divided into three types. The serous form is considered the most harmless, since it is easy to cure, because the fluid becomes serum, which is unlikely to lead to serious complications.
With hemorrhagic bursitis, blood accumulates in the fluid. The purulent form is characterized by the accumulation of pus in the joint capsule. This type is the most dangerous, so in this case, medical consultation is necessary.
Elbow bursitis can develop as a result of infection, injury, and severe physical exertion. The primary causes of the pathology lie in systematic, not necessarily strong, overstrain of the elbow joint. Often, athletes and workers of certain professions are susceptible to this.
Note! If, during joint damage, tears appear in the skin, then the person develops an acute form of bursitis. Its causes are nonspecific.
The primary factors for specific bursitis include infection with streptococcus or staphylococcus. Basically, this happens when sanitary standards are violated during medical procedures.
Also, the causes of the disease lie in the presence of lupus, rheumatoid psoriatic arthritis or gout in the patient.
Bursitis of the elbow joint has the following symptoms:
If treatment for bursitis of the elbow joint is not carried out in a timely manner, then the disease will develop according to the following scheme. So, inflammation of the elbow always begins with swelling.
This sudden phenomenon does not initially cause pain or impede motor function. Therefore, many people simply do not pay attention to swelling, which leads to complications. In this situation, treatment at home will not be enough and the patient may need surgery.
Gradually, the size of the synovial bursa increases and pain appears. In addition, there is no mobility of the hand, so every attempt to make any movement is very painful.
Also, swelling appears in the affected area and compactions form. The tumor is visible visually, it is soft to the touch, and its size reaches 10 centimeters as shown in the photo. At this stage of the development of the disease, the following symptoms may also be present: fatigue, lack of appetite.
If inflammation is accompanied by infection, then purulent bursitis of the elbow joint develops. When the infection spreads to other joints, the patient’s health becomes more complicated – malaise appears, there is no appetite and there are signs of general poisoning.
Inflammation of the elbow joint is much easier to treat than to eliminate its consequences. They appear in the absence of competent and timely therapy due to the disease reaching a severe stage.
Complications include specific melting of the walls of the synovial bursa, which causes the pathogenic mass to spread to nearby areas. Thus, various pathologies are formed.
Lymphangitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the lymphatic ducts. The latter become very pronounced (red lines, grid). Their direction originates in the area of purulent neoplasm.
Cellulitis is a purulent melting of fatty tissue located under the skin and between muscle tissues. When inflamed, the skin around the affected area becomes red and swollen.
Purulent arthritis - in this case, elbow bursitis moves to the joint, which is located next to the affected joint, limiting its mobility.
Lymphadenitis - this complication develops due to infection of the lymph nodes to which lymph flows from the inflammatory focus. Thus, an abscess is formed.
How to treat bursitis of the elbow joint: at home or with the help of traditional medicine? Surgery is almost the only way to overcome this disease. Although adherents of traditional medicine claim that elbow bursitis can be cured at home.
However, doctors recommend not to forget about preventive measures so as not to bring the disease to the stage when surgery and antibiotics become necessary treatments.
Basic treatment of elbow bursitis at home involves preventing traumatic effects on the area where the synovial cavities are located. And, naturally, when purulent processes occur. you need to take antibiotics.
In addition, the prevention of bursitis involves dosing physical activity and proper alternation of work and rest. Also, when there is a possibility of injury, protective equipment must be used.
Important! To prevent the development of bursitis, it is necessary to take antibiotics if the body is infected with any infections.
The photo shows inflammation of the elbow joint - a complex and dangerous disease, the symptoms of which should be taken very seriously. After all, only a patient’s responsible attitude towards his own health will allow him to avoid negative consequences. And to prevent elbow bursitis from appearing at all, it would be useful if the patient thought about preventive measures at home.
If you suddenly imagine that a person cannot bend his arms at the elbows... Fortunately, human anatomy provides for the presence of elbow joints - the very ones that make almost the entire range of movements of our arms possible. But the person himself does not sufficiently appreciate what he has, and sometimes treats minor injuries and inflammatory pathologies in the elbow area lightly. One such disease is elbow bursitis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed later in the article.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule (bursa) - a slit-like capsule with fluid located near the joint and playing the role of a kind of shock absorber from friction and compression at the points of attachment of muscle tendons to the bone. The inner surface of the bursa is lined with a synovial membrane, which produces synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant to facilitate movement in the joint.
As long as the synovial joint capsule works properly and supplies fluid to facilitate joint movements, you don’t even have to think about its existence. As soon as the bursa malfunctions (most often due to an inflammatory process), a disease called “bursitis” develops.
Near each joint there are several joint capsules.
The elbow joint is served by three bursae. Each of them can become inflamed. Therefore, types of bursitis are distinguished according to its location:
According to the nature of the course, chronic and acute forms of the disease are distinguished.
Depending on the cause that caused the development of bursitis, the following types are distinguished:
The cause of the inflammatory process in the synovial bursa can be:
The likelihood of developing the disease is significantly higher in those who:
When the bursa is inflamed, its main function is disrupted - the production of lubricating fluid for the joints. As a result, joint fluid (sometimes with blood or pus) accumulates in the bursa cavity.
This is what bursitis looks like from the inside.
Externally, the symptoms of this disease are as follows:
If you suspect bursitis, you should seek help from a surgeon or traumatologist. When making a diagnosis, an experienced doctor may limit himself to studying the medical history and clinical examination of the patient. In this case, special attention is paid to such characteristic signs of bursitis as mobility and increased temperature of the swelling, pain when palpated, and preservation of mobility of the elbow joint.
To clarify the diagnosis you may need:
But this method does not always have sufficient diagnostic value for bursitis, since the synovial bursa itself is not visible in the image. Its size and the presence of inflammation can only be judged by the displacement of surrounding tissues or when a contrast agent is used for X-rays.
It is extremely important to carry out this procedure if infectious, especially purulent, bursitis is suspected. The puncture will allow us to identify the specific causative agent of the disease and develop the most competent treatment regimen.
Successful treatment of elbow bursitis depends on the degree of development of the disease and requires an integrated approach.
Bursitis is the most common joint disease. In general, there are about 140 synovial bursae in the human body, and this disease can affect any joint, but the elbow joint is most often affected. In general, the elbow joint is surrounded by three joint capsules, these are the radiobrachial, subcutaneous and interosseous ulnar capsule. They all produce fluid, which the joint needs as a lubricant for painless work. This process can be compared to the function of a mechanical device. In order for all parts of the device to work smoothly, it requires the necessary lubricants. And if the amount of this fluid in the synovial bursa increases or it becomes inflamed or changes its composition, then all the signs of the disease appear. In general, bursitis of the elbow joint is an acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the entire mucous membrane of the bursa.
The main cause of this disease is severe trauma to the elbow joint, after which the entire periarticular fluid becomes infected. In general, the bursa is located under the skin, which is why after an injury it is not difficult for any pathogenic agents to get inside the joint capsule. This infection enters directly into the bursa with the lymph flow and blood flow from purulent foci in the human body during sore throat or after the flu. Any inflammation of the bursa occurs as a result of heavy load on the elbow joint. This often occurs among athletes who play golf or tennis. Bursitis can also be the result of inflammatory diseases of the joints, gout and arthritis, and it can also be caused by an imbalance in metabolic processes. If it is calcareous bursitis, then it occurs after the deposition of salts directly in the joint capsule.
By its nature, the fluid in the joint capsule divides bursitis into several categories: hemorrhagic bursitis with the presence of blood, serous and purulent. And in terms of duration, this disease can be chronic, acute or recurrent. According to the type of pathogen, it can be nonspecific if the causative agent is streptococcus or staphylococcus, and also specific if the disease occurs from a primary disease of tuberculosis or syphilis.
With this disease, compaction and severe swelling of the tissues occurs from the inflamed bursa, the size of the resulting swelling reaches up to 10 cm in diameter, all pain in the elbow joint begins to intensify during movement. In addition, the patient experiences pain throughout the arm, noticeable redness in the area of inflammation, limited range of motion, and increased body temperature. If the course of the disease is purulent, then the person’s temperature rises to 40 degrees, and general intoxication of the body is also observed.
An accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of a thorough external examination of the patient, which is clarified after puncture of the inflamed bursa is performed. For example, for the correct treatment tactics, the doctor identifies the causative agent of the disease and for this, radiography is performed. The main treatment for bursitis of the elbow joint is carried out immediately, since the disease becomes chronic, as a result, fistulas may appear, and the joint itself will lose its mobility. To immobilize the diseased joint, use a tight bandage on the joint, and the hand is tightly fixed to a scarf, which is worn around the neck. The patient is also prescribed a course of antibiotics, the choice of which will depend on the type of infectious agent. When purulent bursitis develops, the necessary punctures of the bursa are performed in a hospital setting. That is, the doctor washes it and injects corticosteroids and the most effective antibiotics into the inflammation.
To relieve pain, the doctor prescribes analgesics and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as diclofenac, nimesulide, meloxicam. And in the most severe cases, hydrocortisone is prescribed, which perfectly relieves inflammation and also significantly reduces the amount of fluid in the bursa. Any hormonal drugs are prescribed in special cases, which are injected into the joint capsule. And after a period of acute pain, doctors prescribe physiotherapy, that is, vacuum therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, mud therapy, pharmacopuncture, applications with ozokerite. In the most severe cases, doctors resort to surgical treatment, which helps in complicated and hopeless cases. Any physiotherapy perfectly relieves muscle tension, eliminates general discomfort and inflammation. This physiotherapy eliminates any congestion, improves blood circulation, restores joint mobility and improves metabolic processes in the body. Alternating cold and hot compresses works well at home to relieve pain. Any warm compresses significantly improve the movement of lymph and also increase the formation of immune cells. They also rub it with good anti-inflammatory ointments and collagen ultra cream, and prescribe dietary supplements with glucosamine. Typically, treatment for a patient with elbow bursitis begins with physical therapy, and then gradually increases the amplitude and repeated exercises.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule. Most often, this disease affects the knees, elbows, ankle and wrist joints. The anatomical features of the elbow joint make it especially vulnerable to such pathologies.
The elbow joint is not protected by fatty tissue or muscles, and it bears a large load. This is one of the reasons that elbow bursitis is the most common form of this pathology. There may be several reasons for its occurrence:
These include diabetes mellitus, disruptions of immune processes (including those caused by taking drugs that reduce immunity), metabolic disorders, old age and systemic pathologies of connective tissue. Most often there is a combination of several factors.
The mechanism of inflammation development boils down to the fact that when the synovial bursa (Latin name - “bursa”) is damaged, a larger amount of joint fluid begins to be released, the volume of the joint increases, as a result of which swelling and pain of the joint appears. At the same time, its mobility is impaired, because excess fluid interferes with the movement of bones.
The peculiarities of the elbow joint are that it is a complex joint consisting of three separate joints:
Each of these joints has its own bursa. The largest of them, the bursa of the humeral-ulnar joint, is most often affected.
Bursitis is classified according to several important criteria. According to the course, acute, subacute, recurrent and chronic bursitis are distinguished. According to localization features - bursitis of the humeroulnar (subcutaneous) bursa, brachioradial and radioulnar (interosseous). The most common type of disease is acute bursitis of the humeroulnar bursa.
For reasons, bursitis is divided into traumatic, occupational, infectious (specific and nonspecific). Traumatic bursitis is caused by mechanical injury to the joint, professional bursitis is caused by chronic stress on the arm, intoxication or other harmful factors.
Infectious bursitis is divided into nonspecific, which is most often caused by staphylococci or streptococci, and specific, in which the characteristics of the inflammatory process help to identify the pathogen. Most often these are brucellosis, gonorrhea, syphilis, tuberculosis.
Based on the nature of the inflammatory process, serous, purulent, fibrinous and hemorrhagic bursitis are distinguished. Serous inflammation can be either an independent disease (with a minor injury) or the initial stage of a more serious pathology.
Purulent bursitis is most often caused by bacteria and tends to spread. Fibrinous is characterized by the appearance of fibrin molecules, which contribute to the formation of adhesions in the joint. Hemorrhagic - bursitis with bleeding, often causing complications.
Purulent bursitis is a disease caused by bacteria. Most often, its immediate cause is the penetration of bacteria from foci of infection on the skin. The source of infection can be a boil or erysipelas on the skin near the elbow. This type of bursitis is called secondary. The primary disease occurs when a penetrating injury to the elbow and infection enters directly into the joint capsule.
The peculiarity of the pathological process is that its signs are especially pronounced, and common symptoms often occur. The elbow, part of the shoulder and forearms next to it are swollen, the skin is stretched and looks bright red. The mobility of the joint is reduced, there is severe pain when moving, leaning on the arm, or at rest. The temperature rises, the symptoms of general intoxication of the patient are pronounced - headache, nausea, poor health.
Among the complications that this disease can cause are inflammatory processes in other parts of the joint (purulent arthritis, synovitis), bone lesions (osteomyelitis), and the spread of infection outside the joint cavity (myositis, neuritis, tenosynovitis). The most severe complication is sepsis.
Symptoms may vary depending on the form of inflammation. However, the classic signs of inflammation are always present - joint pain, swelling, and loss of flexion. Their expression is variable.
Acute serous, or hemorrhagic, bursitis develops after injury. It is characterized by an increase in the volume of the joint noticeable to the eye, the appearance of a protrusion on the extensor surface of the arm, and redness of the skin. Pain is practically absent at rest, but appears with palpation of the joint and movement. Mobility is limited - joint extension is impossible. The general condition does not suffer.
Chronic serous bursitis manifests itself with the same symptoms, but in an erased form - pain periodically occurs when moving, there is often a feeling of joint fatigue, discomfort, tension, but not pain.
Chronic fibrinous bursitis is characterized by adhesions in the joint area. The pain with it can be extremely mild, the general condition does not suffer (as with any chronic bursitis), there are no external changes or they are insignificant. In this case, joint mobility disorders come to the fore. Their severity can be so significant that the mobility of the elbow is completely lost.
The picture of purulent inflammation was mentioned above - it is characterized by bright clinical signs and a pronounced deterioration in the general condition. If bursitis becomes chronic, there is a high likelihood of adhesions forming in the joint and loss of mobility.
To establish a diagnosis, the doctor examines the patient’s elbow and collects an anamnesis (the presence of recent injuries or chronic foci of infection is important). Then a series of studies are prescribed.
First of all, an X-ray examination of the joint is performed - it helps to exclude fractures and cracks in the bones of the limb.
The next stage is ultrasound. This examination will show that the cartilage, ligaments and tendons of the joint are not damaged, it will also indicate an increase in the thickness of the joint capsule and the amount of fluid in the joint. The point of diagnosis is determined by joint puncture - it shows excessive fluid secretion and allows you to determine the type of inflammation.
If there is pus in the joint fluid, an additional analysis is done - culture of the discharge to identify the causative agent. It is immediately tested for sensitivity to antibiotics (antibioticogram) in order to prescribe the most effective drug. In controversial cases, an MRI or CT scan of the elbow is required.
In the international classification of diseases, bursitis of the elbow joint is coded M70.2 if the shoulder-ulnar joint is affected, and M70.3 for other lesions. ICD-10 classifies it as a soft tissue disease that is caused by overuse.
Treatment of the disease is based primarily on tight bandaging and rest (if it is serous bursitis). But in case of purulent inflammation, you cannot do without medications.
Antibiotics are prescribed for etiotropic therapy. The choice of drug depends on the results of the antibiogram.
They are prescribed only for purulent bursitis; in other cases there is no need for antibiotics. Taken in tablets, in severe cases - in the form of intramuscular injections. The joint is also washed with antibiotic solutions and drained.
Among pathogenetic agents, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed. They are used for any type of bursitis to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process. In cases of severe inflammation, corticosteroids are administered into the joint cavity.
Additionally, therapeutic puncture procedures with removal of excess fluid, lavage and drainage of the joint, and physiotherapy may be prescribed.
Ointments are used for relatively mild cases of the disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs (Dolobene, Finalgel) are prescribed, which need to be applied several times a day. This can be done at home. Do not use warming ointments (Capsicam) - they intensify the inflammatory process.
At home, only a relatively mild form of serous bursitis can be treated. For this purpose, anti-inflammatory ointments are used, tightly fixing the joint with an elastic bandage or wearing an orthosis, as well as strictly limiting the load. Any sudden movements, heavy lifting, or physical exercises affecting the affected arm should be completely avoided.
As you improve, you can gradually increase the range of movements. Pain should serve as a guideline - if it doesn’t bother you, it means the load was adequate. You can perform simple exercises to train your sore arm, but be sure to wear an orthosis or an elastic bandage. You should start with flexion-extension and rotation. You can return to your normal rhythm of life after the symptoms disappear.
You may be interested in an article on how to treat knee bursitis at home.
Here you will learn how to treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
It is impossible to completely avoid bursitis. However, there are a number of measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of its occurrence. Care should be taken to avoid injury to the elbow. Athletes, even amateurs, need to train with elbow pads to distribute the load and avoid joint injuries.
For people working in hazardous conditions where there is a risk of hand injury, it is important to follow safety precautions - wear protective clothing, use equipment correctly, and undergo regular medical examinations.
To prevent purulent bursitis, it is necessary to maintain personal hygiene, eliminate foci of infection in the body, and treat purulent skin lesions that can cause pathology. It is unacceptable to squeeze pimples that appear on the elbows - the infection may spread deeper and develop bursitis.
Bursitis of the elbow joint is an acute or chronic inflammation of the synovial periarticular bursa. This is the most common joint disease in the body. Every person has experienced pain in the radial joint at least once.
The ulnar bursa is one of three cavities surrounding the bend of the arm:
Olecranon bursitis is considered a disease of athletes, as well as representatives of a number of professions. Risk factors for developing elbow bursitis:
Workers in certain professions are more susceptible to this disease than others:
However, there are many causes of bursitis. Therefore, no one is immune from this disease.
Elbow bursitis develops if the amount of fluid in the synovial bursa increases or it changes its composition or becomes inflamed.
The disease is divided according to the reason for its appearance and the nature of the pathogen.
Inflammation of the mucous tissues of the joint capsule is classified according to the nature of the fluid released into the tissue (exudate).
There is a classification according to the clinical course and duration of the disease. Acute joint bursitis:
Gradually, the walls of the synovial membrane melt. Calcium deposits form around the affected joint. Contracture (joint stiffness) occurs.
As a result of the development of pathology, the following are formed:
What should a patient do if bursitis is suspected? Recommendations:
It is necessary to use complex therapeutic procedures and medications. Treatment tactics depend on etiological factors. Depending on the causes of elbow bursitis, the doctor chooses the treatment.
In order to resolve the contents of the inflamed synovial capsule, he may prescribe the following:
Surgical treatment of the disease:
At home, you can use wise, time-tested recipes.
The following tools have proven themselves to be effective:
Preventive measures will help avoid the risk of developing pathology:
Elbow bursitis is a dangerous disease. The disease should not be left to chance, as complications can be disastrous. The disease cannot be allowed to reach severe forms.
The disease can be successfully cured if, at the first suspicion of the presence of this dangerous disease, you immediately contact a specialist.
Qualified doctor's help is a guarantee of healing. The disease is easier to treat than its consequences. The prognosis is favorable if you are attentive to your health.
Stiffness of movement, swelling and pain in the elbow joint are characteristic signs of inflammation of the synovial bursa of the elbow joint. As a result of this pathology, the nutrition of the periarticular tissues is disrupted, which threatens the development of a chronic disease and the appearance of more dangerous pathologies.
Bursitis of the elbow joint has different origins, due to mechanical stress and the internal state of the body. What is bursitis of the elbow joint and what causes fluid in the elbow joint, we will explain below.
Bursitis or inflammation of the elbow joint is a condition in which, under the influence of pathogenic organisms or mechanical damage, the synovial bursa of the joint (bursa) is affected and the composition of the lubricating fluid changes.
The bursa, which lines all joints, protects one bone from abrasion and damage to another by secreting a lubricant.
If for some reason the fluid becomes greater than the physiological need, the remainder accumulates in the bursa.
In this condition, infections easily develop, including due to the presence of pockets in the structure of the elbow joint.
In addition to swelling, the elbow becomes painful and immobile.
Often the patient lets the healing of the damaged joint take its course, not knowing the dangers of acute bursitis of the elbow joint.
Excess synovial fluid can resolve on its own , but the infection that inhabits the bursa causes the degenerative process of bones, cartilage and tendons - arthrosis and arthritis.
It is much more difficult to treat chronic bursitis of the elbow joint and its complications than to eliminate acute manifestations of inflammation of the bursa. Therefore, below we will talk about what causes precede inflammation of the synovial membrane, how to detect manifestations of bursitis and what to do with them.
Bursitis of the wrist, elbow, knee and other joints occurs under the influence of one or more provoking factors.
At risk are people whose elbow joints are subject to constant micro-damage - heavy physical labor workers, seamstresses, conductors, programmers, athletes, and the elderly.
Constant tension and fatigue of the hands can create a favorable environment for infection of the bursa against the background of a general decrease in immunity. For example, bursitis of the elbow.
Swelling and pain in the elbow joint can occur for a number of other reasons:
The classification of elbow bursitis varies depending on:
Clinical signs of pathology can vary greatly depending on the degree of damage to the bursa, the duration of the course and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Let's look at the main symptoms of bursitis, which will help diagnose and begin treatment on time:
In more complex forms, a purulent process begins to occur in the bursa, affecting the joint tissue. Pus can exit through the subcutaneous epithelium and skin to the outside, forming phlegmons and fistulas.
Ignoring the disease is fraught with the transition of acute inflammation to chronic recurrent inflammation.
Timely treatment should include various physical therapy methods and medications.
Self-medication is strictly prohibited! After all, the symptoms of inflammation of the bursa are in many ways similar to the manifestations of gout, arthrosis or arthritis. To confirm the primary diagnosis, you need to seek help from a specialist.
The photo shows the presence of edema resulting from the accumulation of exudate.
Diagnosis of bursitis occurs in the office of an orthopedist or surgeon. The doctor collects information about the course of the pathology from the patient’s words, conducts an initial examination, collects a puncture of synovial fluid to determine its composition, conducts a clinical blood test to detect infections, takes X-rays and ultrasound pictures.
Once the primary diagnosis is confirmed by research results, appropriate procedures and medication for elbow bursitis will be prescribed.
Treatment methods depend on the degree of damage to the synovial bursae.
So, in case of minor damage, which is characterized by mild symptoms, it is enough to use a compress with an anti-inflammatory agent for such bursitis of the elbow joint and limit mobility to avoid more injury.
If the symptoms of bursitis of the elbow joint are pronounced - severe pain and swelling, decreased motor function, compresses, fixing bandages and drug treatment of the disease are used.
To eliminate inflammation with bursitis of the elbow joint, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs : Dimexide, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide, Diclofenac and others.
If the inflammation is caused by an infectious pathogen, an antibiotic for elbow bursitis is selected individually.
Puncture for bursitis of the elbow joint is necessary for clinical cases with severe accumulation of fluid in the joint, which significantly limits the mobility of the elbow and compresses the circumferential nerves and vessels.
Puncture allows you to remove exudate from the synovial bursae, reduce the manifestation of symptoms, and neutralize the risk of complications. Along with the removal of excess fluid, corticosteroids and antibiotics may be injected into the synovial cavity.
Serous bursitis of the elbow joint, purulent and chronic recurrent bursitis does not respond to conservative treatment and requires surgical intervention.
The purpose of bursectomy of the elbow joint is to cleanse the bursa cavity from the accumulation of pus and osteophytes, stopping the spread of infection and pain. In complex clinical cases, complete or partial removal of the infected bursa walls is required.
The recovery process after surgery, as well as chronic pain in the elbow joint, is greatly facilitated by physiotherapy.
Important ! It is impossible to heat or knead the joint during acute inflammation.
Physiotherapy procedures are carried out only after complete removal of bursitis of the elbow joint.
Treatment after surgery for purulent bursitis of the elbow joint includes balneotherapy, paraffin applications, UHF, electrophoresis, cryotherapy, massage and restorative exercises.
Physiotherapy is necessary for the patient in order to prevent adhesions, accelerate healing and restore the functions of ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage.
Traditional medicine is famous for its cheapness and effectiveness in the early stages of the disease. However, self-medication of swelling in the elbow joints can be dangerous for people with serous or purulent bursitis.
If the damage occurs as a result of a small blow or prolonged monotonous work with the hands, the exudate can resolve on its own, without the use of conservative therapy methods.
Traditional medicine recipes will help to facilitate and speed up this process:
Attention ! Before treating elbow bursitis at home with folk remedies, you should make sure there is no infection. To do this, you will have to visit the doctor's office.
In order to avoid cases of inflammation of the synovial membrane of the bone, it is important to follow simple recommendations:
Taking good care of yourself will ensure your health for many years!
Healthy joints are the key to good health and a high quality of life. Restricted mobility, swelling and pain can be signs of inflammation. The cause is mechanical damage or infection.
A surgeon or orthopedist will help you find the cause and prescribe effective treatment. Delay is unacceptable, since bursitis can progress and cause a lot of trouble in late therapy.