“How do you treat bursitis of the elbow?”

Here are steps you can take to help heal your bursitis at home:

-Rest. A good place to start when trying to heal your bursitis is to rest the joint.
-Ice. Icing the elbow for the first 48 hours after symptoms begin can reduce swelling.
-Heat.
-Activity change.
-OTC pain relievers.
-Elbow pad.
-Antibiotics.
-Physical therapy.

I recommend you see your doctor

Bursitis of the elbow should be treated using a conservative approach consisting of rest, ice, elevation, compression. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory type drugs may prove beneficial in the short term. Occasionally, cortisone injections under ultrasound guidance may be useful. All inflammatory conditions, however, should be rested while healing is undertaken. In refractory cases, a more aggressive workup should be considered, including use of an MRI to assess the areas of concern, and to seek out nerve compression of the ulnar (and less commonly, the radial) nerves at the elbow.

Kenneth D. Candido, M.D.

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa. The ultimate goal of any treatment should be to eliminate the inflammation and the offending motion to allow healing to occur. This is usually accomplished with a combination of medication, behavioral modification, education and other modalities. I would recommend a individual plan by seeking a local PT for consultation.

The name of the game is to reduce inflammation with ice, anti-inflammatory medications and compression/protection with an elbow sleeve. Occasionally, the swelling and fluid accumulation necessitates drainage or surgical excision. There is some risk of infection with olecranon bursitis. Orthoinfo.org will have additional credible information.

Good luck,

Dr. L