Elbow bursitis is also known as called
olecranon bursitis
. A slippery and fluid-filled sack is present behind the elbow. This is named as the
olecranon bursa
. This sac helps the skin of the elbow to slide over the bone. The olecranon bursa lies between the elbow skin and the bones of the forearm. Any inflammation in the olecranon bursa makes fluid to fill into the elbow bursa sac. As a result of which pain and swelling occurs behind the elbow. This is called
Elbow Bursitis
.
What Is A Bursa?
There can be hundreds of bursa throughout our body. The function of the bursa as follows:
- acts as a cushion between the bone and the skin,
- facilitate movement between the parts,
- reduce friction in the parts during movement in different directions,
- movement of the bones and skin becomes smooth and easy due to such slippery bursa
Bursa are mostly found at areas where the tendons and muscles glide over the bones. Else the movement would have been very painful and restricted in absence of these.
What Is Bursitis?
Any inflammation in the bursa is named as
Bursitis
. When an inflammation is caused, the slippery properties of a bursa allowing smooth gliding is lost. And as it moves over it, it gets more irritated. The bursa gets swollen and obviously inflamed. Instead of reducing the friction increases because of the swelling. The smooth gliding becomes rough and gritty. This causes extreme pain and irritation during movement.
Causes Of Bursitis:
Repetitive movement and
prolonged pressures
results in excessive stress on the bone and its nearby area. This cause infection in the bursa, resulting in Bursitis.
A
traumatic injury
can also be another cause. A fall or a car accident can make the bursa stressed and infected. Thus, causing bursitis.
Some
inflammatory
conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can also be a major cause of bursitis.
What Causes Elbow Bursitis ?
The following are the major causes of olecranon bursitis.
- continual resting on elbow for longer periods,
- bending of elbows frequently,
- using vacuum for longer periods repeatedly,
- systemic inflammatory conditions in the body
Olecranon Bursitis Symptoms:
The symptoms of olecranon bursitis includes:
- Pain in the elbow,
- Discomfort in moving the elbow,
- Swelling observed behind the elbow,
- Restricted movement of the elbow,
- Redness of the skin, feeling hot to touch indicates infection.
- Appearance of lump behind the elbow.
A sudden appearance of swelling indicates an infection or traumatic injury. But when lump formation indicates a chronic condition.
