Olecranon Bursitis

Question 1

Definition: Olecranon Bursitis

(1) Olecranon bursa is superficially located on ______ side of elbow making it susceptible to irritation and inflammation.
(2) May occur secondary to _____, ________ or _______.
(3) Trauma may vary from a direct blow to excessive leaning on elbows.
(4) May be caused from ________, _______ or other systemic inflammatory process.
(5) May result from septic bursitis (primary infection), or develop as a secondary complication of aseptic bursitis.

Answer 1

(1) extensor
(2) trauma, inflammation or infection
(4) rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout

Question 2

What Dx / Tx
Clinical Symptoms
(1) Sudden (infection or trauma) or gradual (chronic) swelling in the affected area.
(2) Pain ranges in severity.
(3) Limited ROM from pain and or pressure.
(4) As the mass diminishes in size patient may feel firm lumps or nodules that result from scar tissue
Physical Examination
(1) ROM = Elbow flexion and extension may be limited by pain
(2) Muscle Tests = 4-5/5
(3) Neurovascular = Typically unremarkable
(4) Visual = May be large mass over elbow
(5) Palpation = Tenderness over the elbow

Answer 2

Olecranon Bursitis
Treatment
(1) Light duty focused on activity modification to include avoiding hyperflexion against hard surfaces
(2) Mild cases:
–(a) NSAIDs
–(b) Pressure wrap
–(c) Ice
(3) Moderate to severe cases should undergo aspiration of fluid - refer for orthopedic evaluation
(4) Septic olecranon bursitis requires organism specific antibiotics - refer for treatment

Question 3

Diagnostic Tests Olecranon Bursitis

(1) _____ maybe be diagnostic and therapeutic
(a) Laboratory testing of _____ for WBC count, crystals, gram stain and culture
(2) Radiographs needed to rule out fracture of ______

Answer 3

1) Aspiration
2) aspirate
3) olecranon process

Question 4

Referral Decisions/Red Flag

(1) ________ or recurrence of fluid despite repeated aspirations

Answer 4

Septic bursitis