If you are experiencing pain and swelling in your elbow, you may have bursitis. Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles and bones, becomes inflamed. There are many different causes of elbow bursitis, and in this blog post we will discuss the most common ones. We will also provide tips on how to treat this condition.
Elbow Bursitis is not something to take for granted. Here are some of the common causes for elbow bursitis:
One of the most common causes of elbow bursitis is overuse. If you repetitively use your elbow for a certain activity, such as tennis or weightlifting, you may start to experience pain and swelling. This is because the bursa becomes inflamed from all the friction.
If you think you may have bursitis from overuse, it’s important to rest your elbow and avoid the activity that is causing the problem. You should also ice your elbow for 20 minutes several times a day and take over-the-counter pain medication to help relieve the pain.
If these home remedies don’t work, you may need to see a doctor. They may prescribe stronger pain medication or give you a corticosteroid injection to help reduce the inflammation.
Another common cause of elbow bursitis is trauma, such as a fall or direct blow to the elbow. This can cause the bursa to become inflamed and irritated.
If you experience trauma to your elbow, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. You may need X-rays or an MRI to rule out any other injuries, such as a fracture. Once any other injuries have been ruled out, you can start treating the bursitis at home with ice and over-the-counter pain medication.
If home treatment doesn’t work, you may need to see a doctor. They may prescribe stronger pain medication or give you a corticosteroid injection to help reduce the inflammation.
In some rare cases, bursitis can be caused by an infection. This is more likely to occur if you have an open wound near the elbow. The infection can cause the bursa to become inflamed and irritated.
If you think you may have an infection, it’s important to see a doctor right away. They will need to prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. Once the infection is gone, you can start treating the bursitis at home with ice and over-the-counter pain medication. If home treatment doesn’t work, you may need to see a doctor. They may prescribe stronger pain medication or give you a corticosteroid injection to help reduce the inflammation.
Arthritis is another common cause of elbow bursitis. This is because arthritis can cause the bones to rub together, which can irritate and inflame the bursa.
If you have arthritis, there are many different treatment options available. You may need to take over-the-counter pain medication or prescription medication to help relieve the pain. You may also need to ice your elbow and avoid activities that aggravate the arthritis. If these treatments don’t work, you may need to see a doctor. They may recommend surgery to correct the problem.
In some rare cases, bursitis can be caused by an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue, which can cause inflammation.
If you have an autoimmune disease, you will need to see a doctor to get treatment. There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, but there are many different treatments available to help manage the symptoms.
Elbow bursitis is a common condition that can be caused by overuse, trauma, infection, arthritis, or autoimmune disease. If you think you may have bursitis, it’s important to see a doctor so they can rule out any other injuries and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
If you have elbow bursitis, there are several things you can do at home to help relieve the pain and swelling. These include:
If home treatment doesn’t work, you may need to see a doctor. They may prescribe stronger pain medication or give you a corticosteroid injection to help reduce the inflammation.
Elbow bursitis is a common condition, but it can be painful and frustrating. If you think you may have bursitis, make an appointment with your doctor so they can diagnose and treat the problem.
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