Olecranon Bursitis

Olecranon bursitis is a fluid collection around the pointy bone of the elbow. Olecranon is a part of one of the elbow bones and “bursa” means sac in Latin. Bursa(sac) sits around the olecranon to promote gliding of the tissues around the elbow.
The symptoms of Olecranon bursitis are swelling redness and temperature changes over the elbow.

It is frequently painless. The swelling develops gradually and is thought to be associated with elbow injury, leaning the pointy bone of the elbow against hard surfaces like a table for a long time (frequently develops in students). It can also develop in different forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid, psoriatic, gouty etc.

The treatment is aspiration of fluid. If the fluid is thought to be infected (septic bursitis), surgery may be required.