If you are like most people, you probably don’t think about your elbow until there is something wrong with it. Elbow bursitis is a common condition that can cause pain and inflammation in the elbow. In this blog post, we will discuss seven quick tips about elbow bursitis that you can use to get relief from the pain and inflammation.
Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions the joint, becomes inflamed. The most common symptom of bursitis is pain and tenderness in the affected joint. Bursitis can occur in any joint in the body, but it is most common in the shoulder, elbow, and hip.
Elbow bursitis is most often caused by repetitive motions of the elbow joint. This can happen from activities such as tennis, golf, or even simply brushing your teeth. Other causes of elbow bursitis include direct trauma to the elbow, arthritis, or infection.
The first step in treating elbow bursitis is to rest the affected joint. This means avoiding any activities that may aggravate the condition. If you must use your elbow, try to do so with as little force as possible. For example, don’t lift heavy objects or participate in activities that require repetitive motions of the elbow.
Applying ice to the affected elbow can help reduce pain and inflammation. Try to ice the elbow for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Wearing a compression sleeve or wrap can also help reduce pain and swelling in the elbow.
Elevating the affected elbow above the level of your heart can also help reduce pain and swelling. Try to do this for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow the directions on the package and talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
If the above self-care measures don’t provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will help stretch and strengthen the muscles around the elbow.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the inflamed bursa. This is usually only recommended if other treatments haven’t worked and the pain is severe.
There are a few other important things to keep in mind when dealing with elbow bursitis. First, it’s important to warm up the affected joint before participating in any activities. Second, be sure to use proper form when doing any activities that involve the elbow. And finally, if you experience any sudden or severe pain, be sure to see your doctor right away.
We hope these quick tips about elbow bursitis will help you find relief from the pain and inflammation. If you have any questions, be sure to talk to your doctor. This concludes our blog post on 7 Quick Tips About Elbow Bursitis In 2023. We hope you found this information helpful. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for reading!
Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
925-934-3536
stephen.chen@eastbaysportsdoc.com