Overview
Olecranon bursitis is swelling of the thin bursa over the point of the elbow. Because this sac sits directly under the skin, the swelling can become obvious even when pain is mild.
Why It Happens
- Repeated pressure from leaning on the elbow
- A direct knock or fall
- Inflammatory conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis
- Infection entering through a cut, scrape or puncture
What It Feels Like
Non-infected bursitis may create a soft, fluctuant lump with modest tenderness. Infection is more concerning when swelling is accompanied by increasing pain, warmth, redness, drainage, fever or feeling unwell. Appearance alone cannot always distinguish the cause.
What to Do
Avoid direct pressure, protect the area and use comfortable movement. Do not repeatedly squeeze or attempt to drain the bursa yourself; puncturing it can introduce infection. A clinician may assess for infection and sometimes sample the fluid when the cause is uncertain.
Antibiotics are used for infected bursitis, not routine pressure-related swelling. Persistent or recurrent cases may need further investigation for an underlying inflammatory condition or spur.
When to Get It Assessed
Seek prompt care for redness, warmth, drainage, fever, rapid worsening, an open wound, immune suppression or feeling systemically unwell.
References
- StatPearls. “Olecranon Bursitis.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470291/
- StatPearls. “Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Elbow Joint.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532948/