Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
Background
- Inflamation of the bursal cavity superficial to the olecranon
- Can can occur with or without infection
- Also known as "student's elbow" or "baker's elbow"
- Often caused by repeated minor trauma from external pressure to elbow
- There is controversy regarding initial diagnosis and treatment[1]
Diagnosis
- Bursal fluid on exam
- Non-erythematous
- FROM
- Negative axial load
Differential Diagnosis
Elbow Diagnoses
Radiograph-Positive
- Distal humerus fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Capitellum fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Elbow dislocation
Radiograph-Negative
- Biceps tendon rupture/dislocation
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
- Pronator teres syndrome
- Septic bursitis
Pediatric
- Nursemaid's elbow
- Supracondylar fracture
- Lateral epicondyle fracture
- Medial epicondyle fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Salter-Harris fractures
Workup
Management
- Avoid trauma and excessive pressure
- Ace wrap & NSAIDs
- Chronic = surg
See Also
Source
- ↑ Blackwell1 JR, et al. Olecranon bursitis: a systematic overview. Shoulder & Elbow; 2014, Vol. 6(3) 182–190. DOI: 10.1177/1758573214532787