Olecranon bursitis

It does not hurt every time, but a sweater sleeve irritates it and it is uncomfortable when leaning on a surface. Sometimes the skin around it becomes warmer and slightly red. This is not ‘a bruise that does not go away.’ It is olecranon bursitis, commonly called student’s elbow.

What is actually happening?

At the back of the elbow, between the skin and bone, lies a small, flat cushion called a bursa. When healthy, it cannot be felt because its only job is to reduce friction between skin and bone. If it is repeatedly irritated, for example by leaning on the elbow, or suffers a single injury or bruise, the bursa becomes irritated, inflammation begins, and excess fluid is produced. It fills like a balloon and lifts the skin over the olecranon into a visible, soft lump.

It is most often caused by repeated pressure, such as frequently resting the elbow on a desk or armrest. Sometimes the cause is a single injury: a fall onto the elbow or a hard blow. More rarely, inflammation is caused by rheumatic disease, gout, or a bacterial infection through a skin cut in this area.

How can you recognize it?

• a soft, clearly palpable lump at the back of the elbow, sometimes the size of a golf ball,
• pain when resting the elbow on a surface or chair armrest,
• the skin over the lump becomes warmer and red,
• fully bending the arm becomes more difficult because the skin stretched over the lump is pulled tight.

Why you should not wait

If untreated and constantly irritated, the area can become infected with bacteria, especially if the skin is damaged. Fever then joins the swelling and pain, and compresses alone are no longer enough.

The longer the bursa remains irritated, the harder it is to heal because every further time you lean on the elbow irritates it again. An elbow relieved early usually returns to normal without a trace, whereas a neglected one can cause recurrences or fibrosis.

How we help

We begin with a consultation and ultrasound, which shows how much fluid has collected in the bursa and whether the change is purely mechanical or accompanied by inflammation extending deeper.

For typical, uncomplicated inflammation, relieving the elbow, cold compresses, and anti-inflammatory medication are usually sufficient. We often also perform a puncture: we insert a needle into the bursa’s fluid collection and remove excess inflammatory fluid, which speeds healing. The nature of the fluid can also show whether there is a secondary bacterial infection.

When examination confirms an infection, we add an antibiotic selected based on the result. If the inflammation recurs despite conservative treatment, we remove the bursa surgically through a small incision, permanently eliminating the place where fluid collects.

There is one goal: an elbow without a bothersome lump that you can lean on freely again.

Book a consultation

If you have noticed such a lump, especially with fever or marked redness, do not delay. Make an appointment for a consultation. We will determine whether the inflammation is mechanical or infectious and tell you which treatment will be most effective.