What is it?
There are anatomical structures called Bursa between the bone and the skin at points with bone protrusions such as the knee and elbow in our body. Bursa is a transparent, fluid-filled sac. Their function is to ensure that the soft tissues around the bone slide on the bone and to act as a cushion to protect the bone protrusions. Bursa is a thin structure, and when this structure becomes irritated or infected, it is called bursitis.
Causes:
This disorder may be caused by sudden blows and impacts to the elbow, chronic irritation in those who work by leaning their elbows on hard surfaces, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Clinical findings are important in diagnosis. There is a soft swelling behind the elbow. If this swelling grows, it causes pain. If infection is added, redness and heat will occur in this area. Elbow radiography is also used in diagnosis for differential diagnosis and to see accompanying bone prominences.
In the treatment, in cases that are not infected, a needle is inserted into the sac and the fluid is drained, then a compressive bandage is applied and anti-inflammatory medication is given. In infected cases, the fluid is drained again, then a bandage is wrapped and appropriate antibiotics and painkillers are given. If there is no response to this treatment, cortisone injection can be made into the bursa. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory and many patients benefit from this procedure. If there is still no improvement despite all these treatments, the sac is surgically removed. The elbow is used actively after 3-4 weeks.
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