Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis Symptoms

The bursa that protects the olecranon at your elbow joint lies between the skin and elbow bones. If you are suffering from olecranon bursitis you will usually be experiencing the following conditions:

Swelling

A lump at the back of the elbow is usually the first sign of elbow bursitis. Once swelling is noticed it is advisable that you begin cold treatments to reduce swelling and inflammation and see you doctor to rule out infectious bursitis.

Redness, Warmth, and Tenderness

If there is a cut or scrap on the elbow near the bursa, bacteria may enter the bursa and cause it to become infected. Signs of septic bursitis include redness, warmth, tenderness, and usually a fever. If you have these symptoms be sure to see a doctor promptly so he/she can prescribe antibiotics.

Pain

Although you may experience bursitis without pain, elbow bursitis can cause pain at the tip of the elbow because the bursa pushes on nerve endings around the joint. Pain increase when bending and straightening the elbow or pushing directly on the bursa.

Limited Range of Motion

As the bursa swells a visible bump becomes obvious at the tip of the elbow. Inside the elbow, the enlarged bursa decreases the space for the bone joints to move freely during flexion and extension. This limits the range of motion in the elbow and can prevent you from doing daily tasks easily.

Treating Elbow Bursitis Symptoms

Relieving the symptoms of bursitis initially focuses on keeping the pressure off the bursa. Surgery may be required if your bursa irritation is a result of a bone formation problem, such as a bone spur. If your bursitis is caused by an infection (septic bursitis), the doctor will drain the bursa sac with a needle and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. For non-infectious bursitis, the preliminary treatment typically starts with the application of cold and compression to control bursitis pain and inflammation.

The most important factor in healing bursitis is resting your elbow and reducing the amount of pressure you put on your olecranon bursa throughout the day. During your recovery you will probably have to modify or avoid the activities that stress your bursa until your pain and inflammation settle.

Treatments should focus on reducing swelling, relieving stress on your elbow, correcting any bio-mechanical dysfunction such as a bone spur, treating scar tissue, and then restoring strength and movement in your elbow joint. Circulation Boost (Circulatory Boost) is recommended once inflammation has been calmed to heal the bursa and surrounding tissue faster and reduce the chance of bursitis returning.

Cold

To decrease inflammation and relieve the pain of olecranon bursitis doctor's recommend cold.

Applying cold to your inflamed bursa will help decrease the swelling and redness in your elbow. Cold will also help to numb the pain in your olecranon joint and help to control the inflammation.

Applying cold to your tender bursa and elbow joint is the first step in treating your bursitis. Then begin using the Elbow TShellz Wrap to continue the healing process.

TShellz Wrap Circulation Boost

Once most of the inflammation of your bursitis has been reduced with the Cold Compress cold compression treatment it is time to start Circulatory Boost treatments with the TShellz Wrap. Regular treatments with the TShellz Wrap will improve blood flow and improve the elasticity of your surrounding soft tissue. Your body needs a fresh supply of blood to improve the health of your tissue and get your olecranon bursa back to normal.

Unfortunately, when you are suffering from bursitis it can be painful to bend your arm or reach for something. When you limit movement in your elbow because of the pain the blood flow is reduced, starving your tissue of the necessary oxygen and nutrients.

The trick is to find a way to increase blood flow without causing pain and/or further inflaming the bursae. This is where Circulation Boost, or Circulatory Boost, becomes a powerful tool.

Circulatory Boost compliments your body's natural healing process by promoting blood flow while you give your elbow the rest it needs.

Click Here to learn more about the TShellz Wrap and Circulatory Boost

Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), can be used if required to help manage your pain. However, these aren't recommended for long term use, as they can cause gastrointestinal difficulties and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many of our customers find they no longer require NSAIDS once they begin using Elbow Cold Compress cold compression and Elbow TShellz Wraps to treat their pain and heal their bursa.

Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort at the location of your soft tissue injury until the pain and inflammation settle. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!