If the point of your elbow is swollen the cause or the condition could be a number of things. Before reading on, know that the best thing you can do for upper extremity pain or injury is see a medical professional board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Don’t panic though; just because you see someone qualified in orthopedic surgery does not mean you need surgery!
At Midwest Hand Therapy a common elbow condition we see among patients is bursitis. Bursa can be found throughout the entire body; its function is to decrease friction between two surfaces that move in different directions. Bursa is a slippery fluid-containing sac and can be found in our elbows, to allow the skin to move without rubbing against the bone.
When our elbow experiences a repeated injury (such as falling onto the elbow) or is continually rubbed against a hard surface it can irritate the bursa, thus causing bursitis. Olecranon bursitis (bursitis of the elbow) results in pain or swelling at the point of the elbow. It may also hurt to bend or straighten your arm and may have some warmth and redness.
Upon reviewing your symptoms and examining your elbow, your health care provider may recommend a number of treatments including but not limited to: ice packs, wrapping an elastic bandage around your elbow to keep the bursa from swelling more, removal of some of the bursa fluid , and/or taking anti-inflammatory medicine.
Midwest Hand Therapy sees patients of all ages including infants, athletes, musicians, office workers, as well as people recovering from surgery. We encourage you to contact us for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if your elbow is bothering you. Also, avoid direct contact to the point of your elbow until you’re able to get an appointment. Bursa can be further irritated by leaning your elbow onto a surface such as a desk or countertop.
