How to Get Elbow Bursitis Relief Quickly

If you’re experiencing elbow pain, your goal is likely to get relief as soon as possible. But first, you have to know the source of the pain.

One common cause is elbow bursitis, a condition caused when the bursa (a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions the elbow joint) becomes inflamed.

Adam Redlich, MD, and our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine see many cases like this. Here’s the advice we give on how to get elbow bursitis relief quickly.

What is elbow bursitis?

Most joints in your body are cushioned by a bursa, a small sac designed to decrease the friction as two structures move past each other (such as a tendon moving over a bone). The bursa in your elbow is called the olecranon bursa.

Bursitis, or inflammation, usually occurs as a result of prolonged pressure (such as leaning on hard surfaces), repetitive movements (such as repeated straightening and bending of the elbow), or some sort of trauma or injury.

Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.

How can you treat it?

Your first step to get quick relief is to follow the RICE protocol:

• Rest the elbow by stopping the activity that caused the problem (you can use a protective elbow pad if necessary)
• Ice the area for 15-20 minutes at a time to provide relief from the swelling
• Compress the elbow with a wrap; keep it snug but not too tight
• Elevate your arm above your heart to help reduce the accumulation of fluid in the area

After the initial swelling subsides, you can also try alternating heat packs with the ice to improve blood flow and relax your muscles. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen can help reduce your pain and inflammation as well, but this should only be a short-term solution.

Once your pain and swelling decrease, you can also try gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to restore your mobility.

If symptoms persist past a few days, or if you have warmth and redness in the area, you should seek medical attention. This could indicate an infection in the bursa, which Dr. Redlich may want to treat with antibiotics. He may also need to aspirate the bursa (drain the fluid with a needle).

Get expert help for your elbow bursitis

If you think you’re experiencing elbow bursitis, our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine is here to help. To schedule an appointment, just call our offices in Robbinsville or Neptune, New Jersey, or use our online scheduler to request a time.