Elbow bursitis, also known as olecranon bursitis, occurs when the bursa (a tiny, fluid-filled sac cushioning the skin and the bony tip of the elbow) becomes inflamed. This can lead to swelling, tenderness, and limited range of motion, interfering with daily activities like typing, resting on your elbow, or even sleeping.
Causes of Elbow Bursitis
Elbow bursitis doesn’t always develop overnight. In many cases, it creeps in gradually as a result of repeated stress or unnoticed strain. In others, it can appear suddenly after an injury or infection.
Several different factors can lead to elbow bursitis:
- Repetitive pressure or friction – such as leaning on hard surfaces, kneeling, or repeated forearm movements.
- Direct trauma or injury – like a fall or knock to the elbow.
- Infection – a less common cause but one that can be serious, often characterised by redness, warmth, and fever.
- Underlying conditions – such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, which can provoke bursal inflammation.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Visible swelling at the tip of the elbow (often soft and painless at first).
- Pain or discomfort, especially when bending the elbow or applying pressure.
- Stiffness or restricted movement in the elbow joint.
- Redness and warmth in cases of infection. This warrants immediate medical attention.
Treatment Options: From Rest to Advanced Therapies
Conservative Care
Most cases of elbow bursitis respond well to first-line, conservative measures:
- Rest and activity modification: Avoid putting pressure on the elbow and adjust repetitive motions.
- Ice therapy and compression: Applying cold packs (wrapped in a cloth) for 15–20 minutes, a few times daily, helps control swelling. A compression bandage may also offer support.
- Elevation: Keeping the elbow elevated reduces fluid buildup.
- NSAIDs: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen help relieve pain and swelling.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care offers non-invasive, hands-on techniques that can support recovery and reduce symptoms of elbow bursitis:
- Joint mobilisation and manipulation: To correct joint alignment, improve range of motion, and reduce stress on the bursa.
- Soft tissue therapy and massage: To release taut muscles and improve circulation around the elbow.
- Guided movement and stabilisation exercises: To strengthen the surrounding tissues and retrain proper movement patterns.
- Biomechanical assessment: Identifying contributing factors (like posture, upper limb mechanics, or workplace ergonomics) to prevent recurrence.
Injection-Based Musculoskeletal Treatments
When symptoms persist despite conservative or chiropractic care, targeted MSK injections can provide deeper relief, by reducing inflammation, promoting healing, or restoring joint function:
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections are commonly used to reduce bursal inflammation quickly. Injecting a steroid directly into the bursa can bring substantial relief within days. While effective, they may need to be repeated judiciously and should be combined with ongoing self-care and rehabilitation.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Originally used in joints like the knee for osteoarthritis, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injections (or “viscosupplementation”) adds lubrication, improving fluidity and cushioning. While less common for bursitis, it’s increasingly considered when joint mechanics or cushioning deficiencies contribute.
Prolozone Therapy
Prolozone therapy is an advanced treatment that combines prolotherapy (which promotes local healing through nutrient injection) with ozone therapy, introducing oxygen to stimulate tissue regeneration and support healing. It can help restore normal bursal function and reduce dependence on repeated anti-inflammatories.
Surgery is rarely needed but may be considered if symptoms persist despite conservative treatments, or if the bursitis is chronic, recurrent, or severely infected. Surgical options typically involve removing the inflamed bursa (bursectomy), particularly when fluid buildup, pain, or infection interferes significantly with daily function and quality of life.
Recovery and Long-Term Management
Recovery typically spans a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on individual factors and treatments used. To support a full return to function:
- Follow post-treatment guidance carefully, especially when injections are involved. Avoid strenuous use of the elbow until you’re cleared.
- Stick to a rehabilitation plan – stretching, strengthening, and movement retraining promote healing and prevent relapse.
- Track contributing habits – pressure habits, repetitive movements, and poor ergonomics are common triggers.
- Consider lifestyle adjustments – such as using elbow pads, upgrading desk setups, or exploring alternative movement patterns.
Final Thoughts
Elbow bursitis can be uncomfortable and limiting, but you don’t have to let it sideline you. By combining the above treatment suggestions you can reduce pain, restore movement, and get back to your life, without rushing surgery or tolerating prolonged discomfort.
Private Injection Clinics offer injection therapies to treat elbow bursitis, and The Optimum Spine Centre offers chiropractic care. For more information please take a look at the websites.
The Optimum Spine Centre is based on the coast in Leigh on Sea, and the Private Injection Clinics are in Leigh on Sea, as well as in Colchester, Essex – perfect for patients in Essex, Kent, London, and surrounding areas.
Resources
- https://www.privateinjectionclinics.co.uk/about/
- https://www.privateinjectionclinics.co.uk/treatments/prolotherapy-and-prolozone-injections/
- https://optimumspinecentre.co.uk
- https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/olecranon-bursitis
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/elbow-olecranon-bursitis
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bursitis